Wahida, Malaysia

Cancer is a word that carries weight, a weight that can feel unbearable when it enters your life or the life of someone you love. It doesn't discriminate. It can strike anyone, regardless of how healthy they are, how much they've planned for the future, or whether they have a support system. It challenges our beliefs, our dreams, and our very existence. Yet, in the midst of its chaos, cancer can also be a catalyst for profound change, offering a perspective that shifts how we see life and our place in it.

This is a truth I've come to understand deeply through my decade-long journey at the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM). As a fundraiser celebrating my tenth year with the organisation, I've had the privilege of developing donation programmes that have helped grow the society's income, enabling it to provide education, care, and support for those affected by cancer in Malaysia. But my role has been about more than just numbers. It's been about people.

Over these ten years, I've worked alongside hundreds of supporters from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique stories and motivations to the table. I've interacted with donors who generously support the fight against cancer, many of whom have their own deeply personal reasons for giving. And perhaps most importantly, I've listened to the stories of beneficiaries - patients, carers, and survivors - who have shared their journeys with raw honesty and vulnerability.

These interactions have taught me that cancer is not just a disease. It's a life-altering experience that triggered my own existential crisis, forcing me to confront deep questions about life, death, and purpose. This confrontation, though challenging, became a catalyst for positive change in my life. It prompted me to take concrete steps in planning my financial future and reassessing my personal priorities - actions I might have postponed indefinitely without this wake-up call.

Cancer can turn everything you've ever believed or hoped for into a 360-degree whirlwind of uncertainty. It's messy, contradictory, and often overwhelming. Yet, it can also be a chapter in someone's life that brings unexpected clarity and meaning. Through my work, I've discovered vibrant communities of people living with cancer, individuals who are not just surviving but thriving. They've shown me that whilst the struggle is real, there is also resilience, hope, and even joy to be found in the journey.

For me, cancer has become a part of my life in a way I never expected. I've chosen to live with it, not as a threat, but as a reality that has reshaped my perspective. If I were ever diagnosed, I know I wouldn't be alone. And that knowledge brings me peace. The communities I've encountered through NCSM have shown me that there's strength in solidarity, and that shared experiences can create bonds that transcend the illness itself.

Cancer forces us to confront our mortality, to appreciate the fleeting beauty of life, and to find meaning in the smallest moments. It's a reminder that life is fragile, but also incredibly precious. It's a paradox: gloomy yet enlightening, devastating yet transformative. Working with those affected by cancer has taught me that whilst we can't always choose our circumstances, we can choose how we respond to them.

My hope is that one day, we can treat cancer like any other illness, one that doesn't define a person but is simply a part of their story. Until then, I believe it's our collective responsibility to empathise better, to support one another, and to work together to live with it. This perspective has not only shaped my professional work but has also influenced how I approach my own life planning and personal relationships.

At NCSM, we're doing just that. Every donation, every fundraiser, and every act of support brings us closer to a world where no one has to face cancer alone. It's a mission that has given me purpose for the past ten years, and it's a story I'm proud to be a part of. Through our work, we're not just raising funds; we're building a community of hope and resilience.

Cancer may never go away, but neither will our determination to fight it. Together, we can create a future where cancer is not just a battle to be fought, but a journey to be shared, understood, and supported.