When you think of cancer sufferers, it is not only older patients who are in need of help. Every year the number of people being diagnosed with cancer has increased, and the age of those with a diagnosis has dropped – significantly.

 

In particular, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some surgeries may damage the reproductive organs which has even greater impact on younger cancer patients affected.

 

As well as having to decide what treatment to have, what the side-effects might be, how will it affect their career and their social life, they also need to decide, prior to any treatment, if they would like a family in the future.

 

Last summer the Cancer Fund created a fertility preservation programme. We are the only cancer charity in Hong Kong to financially help young cancer patients with this part of their cancer journey. There are various options that a doctor may suggest depending on each individual, these include egg, embryo or tissue freezing for women and sperm freezing for men. Our programme pays for all medical costs associated with the procedure and freezing for 2 years.

 

But this is why we are writing to you, we need your help.  We need to raise HK$2 million to help 100 young cancer patients this year and provide this much needed FREE service to help those who wish for a family of their own.

 

Sophia’s* story

Sophia has always been very diligent about doing a self-check breast examination. In November of 2023, then only 32 years old, she felt a small lump no larger than a soft pea on the underside of her breast. She had no other symptoms. There was no pain, no redness or rash, it wasn’t uncomfortable in any way.

 

As a dance teacher she was fit and healthy and enjoyed an active lifestyle.  However, Sophia sensibly organised a check-up with a doctor.

 

She was immediately given a mammogram, MRI and CT scan. The results were sent to the Pamela Youde Hopsital and it came back with a breast cancer diagnosis. Sophia and her family were so shocked and the news completely turned her world upside down. Together with her long term partner they were looking forward to the future which included marriage and hopefully children. When she was told that she would need chemotherapy and surgery and this could impact her fertility she felt like her dreams had been shattered.

 

When the doctor discussed fertility preservation and having her eggs frozen Sophia knew she was unable to absorb the additional cost of HK$60,000-70,000. Her finances had already been stretched as due to an unsympathetic employer she was forced to quit her job which left her without an income. Sophia was devastated when she explained all of this to her doctor. 

 

However, the doctor talked to her about our new funding programme for fertility preservation and explained that we would fully compensate the medical procedure and 2 years of freezing her eggs.  Sophia was so overwhelmed and grateful for the amazing support from the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

 

Sophia was referred to Queen Mary Hospital for her procedure and egg freezing and one month later she was able to return to Pamela Youde Hospital to start her treatment.

 

Sophia told us “I am so grateful for all of the amazing support from the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. I was originally contacted by their Social Worker, Iris Tse who has also helped me through the emotional side of my cancer journey.  My Mum has also been an amazing support to me. When I was much younger she was a volunteer carer for the elderly so has been such a guiding strength for me”.

 

Iris said “We are seeing more and more younger people being diagnosed with cancer and we need to ensure that we are here for them. Fertility preservation is so important and I am so delighted that we have added this financial assistance to our range of FREE professional care that we provide to so many cancer patients. Being here to help Sophia, initially with her nutritional support prior to her fertility programme and also through the emotions that she was experiencing is so humbling. Being able to help her financially to hold on to the dream of having a family in the future gives me so much joy”.

 

Sophia has gone through such a tumultuous 6 months. From being diagnosed with breast cancer, to being forced by her employer to quit her job and to starting her treatment.  She has asked the Cancer Fund to highlight to any other young cancer patients of the stress and turmoil that comes outside of the actual diagnosis, especially with unsympathetic companies. We advocate that ALL companies treat their employees with the compassion and the legal rights that are supported by the Hong Kong Government.

 

Sadly this has left Sophia with only a small amount of savings, however she said to us “I want to focus on my health, my family and all the love that is being given to me by my family and friends. I am very positive and feel this is how I would like to move forward in my life.”

 

Help us to help others

 

At the Cancer Fund we are there for people like Sophia but to continue we need your support.  Fertility preservation is expensive and we are sure that the number of people seeking this support will increase every year. Every dollar that we receive will help towards keeping the dream of a family in the future.

HK$500 – Will subsidise a patient to receive professional dietitian advice/ holistic well-being consultation

HK$1,000 – Will support a one-on-one consultation with our specialist oncology nurse

HK$1,500 – Will strengthen our pool for our Fertility Preservation which can provide immediate financial support to young cancer patients

 

We do not receive any funding from the government or the Community Chest and rely solely on the kindness of people like you. Our only source of guaranteed income is from our monthly donors, our Circle of Friends. If you are not already a member please would you join our monthly donor programme to help us to continue to support people like Sophia?

 

With your support, our team can restore confidence, provide reassurance and give back control to all those who need it through our free professional care services. We will continue to work towards a future where survivors can look forward to leading full and productive lives, without penalty from their treatment or status as a cancer survivor. You can help make this vision a reality.

 

Overcoming cancer requires more than just medicine. You are really making a tremendous difference to peoples’ lives through your generosity.

 

Thank you for helping to ensure no one faces cancer alone.