"I felt like I was watching something out a TV soap opera when I first found out I had blood cancer…"

At seventeen, I had just finished my school certificate examination and was ready to enter the Hong Kong Professional Institute of Education. I suddenly had a high fever and my haemoglobin level plunged. I thought I had anaemia but it turned out to be blood cancer. It was like watching TV. Everything happened so quickly that it felt surreal. My family members were all in shock, especially my mother. She couldn't accept the fact and refused to sign for my medical treatment.

"My family questioned why it should be me? But I thanked God that it was me and not anyone of them…"

After eight chemotherapy treatments, compatible bone marrow was found from my second sister. Before the bone marrow transplant operation, some tubes had to be inserted into my blood vessels for medical injection. Unfortunately, frequent inflammation occurred and I couldn't help but think that death might be an easier option. But then I tried to imagine trading places with my family member and thought, if they were the ones with blood cancer, would I want them to give up? Every time I came to this thought, I forced myself to be strong and kept my spirits up.

"Living in the hospital was like being on vacation. We were asked by the nurses to visit the elderly patients…"

During my stay in the hospital, I met another girl of my age who also had leukaemia. We supported each other like sisters. Since we were both very young, we were allowed to watch TV and run around the hospital. It was a bit like going to camp and being away from home. We were so energetic that the nurses suggested we spread some cheer by visiting the elder patients, chat with them and help them forget about their illness for a while. As fellow leukaemia patients, I knew exactly what they needed most; a caring heart. It was as simple as that. Both my friend and I eventually recovered and we are still very good friends today!

"Whenever my classmates were in trouble, I would use my past experience to put things into perspective and comfort them…"

Having gone through the ordeal of blood cancer, my outlook on life became more optimistic. I am now taking a design diploma course and it's great to be around lots of young people again. Something I've noticed in particular is the stupid way so many young people hurt themselves physically and/or emotionally when they encounter problems in life. This had led me to use my past experience to tell my friends to treasure their lives and the loved ones around them.

"After the operation, my health deteriorated but I insisted on working hard to reach my goal…"

After the bone marrow transplant, my immune system and lung were weakened. I come down with colds frequently and get tired easily, but I continue to try and work hard on my design projects with the hope that I'll become a successful designer in the future!

"If I could run the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation, I would..."

It would be nice if there were a rehabilitation centre for the patients to get together and support each other, without having to worry about the travel expenses to and from the hospital.