School organises fund-raiser for student who
suffers relapse for 4th time
When Ms
Marianne Lam heard in April that her son Joel's leukaemia had relapsed for a
fourth time despite five years of non-stop chemotherapy, she was worried he
might give up.
However,
her son's outlook was more positive. He even burst out laughing. "He said,
'Mum, why... I have so many people that love me."
Among
them are his schoolmates and teachers, who rallied around him to keep his
spirits up - and even helped to raise money for his treatment.
Joel Lim,
18, was diagnosed with leukaemia at age seven and has spent most of his life
undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and taking daily
drug cocktails.
His poor
health meant he almost missed sitting his Primary School Leaving Examination
(PSLE) in 2011. At the time, his parents had lost their jobs and spent $80,000
on medical bills.
He clung
to hopes of passing his PSLE and continued his tuition. After a bone marrow
transplant, Joel slowly recovered and was able to get into Anglo-Chinese School
(Barker).
His
condition remained relatively stable until he recently contracted shingles. It
disrupted his chemotherapy and doctors found that leukaemia had returned in his
brain.
Yet Ms
Lam, 52, who runs a handbag and shoe cleaning shop, said Joel does not complain
and tells his family not to worry.
"I
don't dwell on my condition... I'm just happy I can go to school and have
friends," said Joel.
His
positive spirit has inspired others, including his school principal, Mr Peter
Tan. He wrote to the parents of students, appealing for help in defraying
Joel's treatment costs.
Mr Tan,
who has known Joel since Primary 1, said: "I knew (the family) would not
ask for help. Hearing how costly (treatment) is, I sought their permission to
share (the news) with the school."
One
course of a new drug called Blinatumomab - said to be the most appropriate for
Joel's condition - costs $150,000.
Ms Lam
did not think of the cost initially, only whether the drug would help her son.
Mr Tan's appeal was shared online and the family has received cheques, prayers
and encouragement. "It's not about the amount donated but the heart behind
it - even an SMS makes a big difference," she said.
Schoolmates
have been helpful, waiting for Joel to reach school so that they can carry his
bag, and giving him piggyback rides when he is tired. The students are
organising a fund-raiser, called "Turn Things Around For Joel", which
will include food and drink sales and a charity car wash on May 27 and 29.
"I
didn't know so many people were willing to support me," said Joel. "I
feel so loved."
His
mother agreed: "We didn't ask for all this. We're very overwhelmed, still
trying to take it in."
Described
as diligent and considerate, Joel tries to lead a normal life. "I'm happy
I can even go to school and have friends," he said.
He plays
table tennis and even participated in his school's recent cross-country run in
a wheelchair.
But since
his relapse in April, he has been forced to stay at home. His goals are to
finish his O levels and study in a polytechnic.
"I
will take things slowly," he said. "I have a home, a school, a
family. Many others don't. I should just be glad with what I have."
Ms Lam's
hopes for him are simple: "Grow up. Pay back what you have received, for a
little kindness goes a long way."
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