Post on 25-Mar-2018
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
Maggie's provides free practical, emotional, and psychosocial support within a unique healing environment to empower those touched by cancer to live through and beyond the illness.
We are a drop-in centre and all programmes are free of charge. Help us continue our work if you share our vision. For details please visit www.maggiescentre.org.hk.
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
Feature Story P.2-3
Activity Highlight P.4-5
Coming Up P.6
Maggie’s Volunteers P.7
Support Maggie’s P.8
CONTENT
Add︰Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun
Hospital, New Territories, HK Tel:2465 6006
Email︰info@maggiescentre.org.hk
Website︰www.maggiescentre.org.hk
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
“Just smile,” Chun Yuk reminds herself every morning, “like the way I do every
time I walk out the door of Maggie's.” A resilient disciplinary master and teacher
in a special needs school, Chun Yuk was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer in
the summer of 2009. She returned to school upon recovery but not long until
2013, her cancer returned. Having been through cycles of treatments and a
surgery, Chun Yuk says she is most grateful now than ever before.
“My head was in the clouds when I was first told I
had cancer… I was shocked, devastated, lost.”
Chun Yuk recalls. “The doctor went on and ex-
plained the high risk of a tumour removal surgery as
the tumour was right by my main artery, and I did
not want to go for that option. I didn’t know how I
should feel about chemo, on the other hand, and
was worried how my family, friends, and students
were going to take it.” Chun Yuk had a million of
questions running through her mind with no answer
of where to start; the diagnosis basically changed
everything. Family and friends were supportive but
she needed to speak to someone who can give her
professional advice, or who has been through the
same. Her colleague then urged her to visit Mag-
gie’s Cancer Caring Centre, which was next to the
Oncology Department of Tuen Mun Hospital, close
to but separate from the hospital environment.
“Since my first visit, Maggie’s has been here for me
every step of the way,” said Chun Yuk. At Maggie’s,
oncology nurses were able to help her navigate
the maze of information available and find her way
Chun Yuk (Centre) is a Laughter Yoga Leader and loves to spread the joy of Laughter Yoga with other Centre users.
Feature Story | Chun Yuk
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
to useful information that answers her questions
about the diagnosis, treatment options, and adjust-
ments in daily life, whilst professionals at Chinese
health talks and nutrition workshops gave her prac-
tical tips and tools to maintain a healthy diet during
and after treatment. Chun Yuk visited Maggie’s as
much as possible even when she was put on chem-
otherapy. The variety of support programmes Mag-
gie’s offers such as meditation, relaxation, laughter
yoga, qi gong and beauty workshop, was able to
complement her medical treatment in battling can-
cer, allowing her to look positively at every situation
and to take on a more active role in her own cancer
journey and road to recovery.
Just as Chun Yuk thought she got her life back on
track, her cancer returned in 2013 and had already
moved to other parts of her body. She was in a ra-
ther critical condition and a debulking surgery was
required to remove the tumour. Cancer recurrence
and a weakened immune system together was not
in Chun Yuk’s favour, but for the first time she expe-
rienced a deep sense of calmness -- being in and
out of hospital for too many times she had wit-
nessed more severe cases or even babies receiving
chemotherapy. Compared to them, Chun Yuk was
convinced she was born under a lucky star. Howev-
er, sometimes even the strongest person can be
fragile. “Amidst fear and anxiety I was given a map
to put one foot in front the other…Maggie’s clinical
psychologist helped me vocalise my difficulties and
showed me how I can find the pleasure and happi-
ness from everyday moments regardless of circum-
stances.”
Between her re-diagnosis and the surgery, Chun
Yuk made good use of her time by preparing herself
and her family and friends for what’s ahead. She
created her own memorial slideshow just in case,
which could ease the emotional burden on her chil-
dren. She wrote lovely cards for her family and
friends, recalling the great times they had spent to-
gether and thanking each and every one of them for
being in her life. Chun Yuk also prepared a letter for
her doctors in case of surgical failure, reassuring
them that she had lived life to the fullest and that
she was grateful for the medical team’s time and
effort regardless of surgery outcome. The day after
her surgery, Chun Yuk passed the letter to her doc-
tor by hand.
Having to adjust to a different kind of life is never
easy and recovery takes time -- Chun Yuk had to
relearn how to walk, balance herself, and use her
body. Today, Chun Yuk remains a frequent visitor to
Maggie’s; she completed the Laughter Yoga Leader
training and is now leading the Laughter Yoga prac-
tice at the Centre. The opportunity to give back is
something she cherishes the most now, as she
hopes to help other people in the way Maggie’s has
helped her.
“Happiness does not simply happen; you
need to go after it. But when you do, you
will find every day a blessing. There’s al-
ways something to be thankful for, and
simply being, is no doubt one of them.”
When asked to give the best piece of advice she
could to other cancer patients, Chun Yuk said the
most important thing to do is to accept the fact (the
illness) as soon as possible, embrace it and find the
courage to move forward. “Happiness does not
simply happen; you need to go after it. But when
you do, you will find every day a blessing. There’s
always something to be thankful for, and simply be-
ing, is no doubt one of them.”
Chun Yuk (Right) and another Centre user Sam (Left) were preparing for the celebration of Chinese New Year.
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
The Fayre of St. John’s 2015
Following last year’s successful debut of the Christ-
mas carol spectacular, the second edition of "The
Fayre of St. John's", presented by Quintessentially
Lifestyle in aid of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre,
was held on Tuesday, 24 November 2015 at the St.
John’s Cathedral, followed by an after party in KEE
Club. Kick starting the festive season, the evening
helped raise HK$2.5M for Maggie’s to further our
development in cancer care services. A big thank
you to Quintessentially, event partners Hong
Kong Tatler, Aviva, and KEE Club, and to all
sponsors and supporters!
The 2016 Fayre is now scheduled for Thursday,
1 December 2016, once again kindly hosted by
Quintessentially in aid of Maggie’s HK. So mark
your calendars and save the date!
Activity Highlight
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
Hosted by:
Credit Suisse Calello Global Challenge 2015
The annual “Calello Global Challenge”, hosted by Credit Suisse in memory of their former Asia Pacific and Investment Bank CEO Mr. Paul Calello, took place in 2015 on 11 November in aid of Maggie’s HK. A unique initiative that embodies the philan-thropic, athletic and competitive nature of Mr. Calello, the Challenge raised over HK$68K for Mag-gie’s to help those touched by cancer. Thank you!
Healthy eating habits throughout cancer treatment are essential. We were delighted to have a team of qualified experts from Nestle HealthCare Nutrition with us on 9 December who hosted a nutrition workshop. They demonstrated easy ways to pre-pare healthy appetisers and shared with us their advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We are grateful to Nestle for their continued support of Maggie’s.
Nestlé Nutrition Workshop
SHE DID IT! Many congratulations to our Centre Head Helen Lui and to her family for completing their hike of one of the most challenging ridges, Pak Sin Leng. Undertaking this challenge to commemo-rate three years of Maggie's permanent centre in Hong Kong and as a fundraising opportunity for the Centre, our adventurous team battled through wind and rain and finally conquered the mountain. Over HK$260,000 was raised at this activity.
Helen's Hike for Maggie's
It is not every day that our supporters visit Maggie’s and take a close look at what happens within the Centre each day. On 19 April we welcomed them to experience a day in the life of Maggie’s; some jammed with our music therapy instrument group, some learnt about practical tips and tools our oncol-ogy nurses give away, whilst some familiarised themselves with different types of therapies Mag-gie’s offers such as relaxation and meditation.
A Day in the Life of Maggie's
Hosted by:
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
Have you noticed Hong Kong's AEON stores turn yellow on the 11th of each month? It's their 'Yellow Receipts' fundraising campaign and we are delighted that Maggie's has just been an-nounced as one of their beneficiaries.
Visit AEON on the 11th of each month from Au-gust 2016 to January 2017, shop and receive a yellow receipt, vote for your designated charity, and goods in the amount of 1% of total receipt amount will be donated by AEON to the charity.
This 'Yellow Receipts' fundraising campaign is launched in AEON stores, supermarkets and Liv-ing Plaza by AEON. On 11 September, we will place our Maggie's promotion booth in Tuen Mun AEON Store. Shop at AEON on the 11th and don’t forget to vote for Maggie's!
AEON “Yellow Receipt Campaign”
Follow Maggie’s on Facebook
and Instagram to stay tuned to
our news!
Coming Up
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
Do you love a challenge? Do you have a creative touch? Or are you a group of friends looking for fun ways to fundraise together? You can take part in all kinds of fundraising activities or support Maggie's in a very direct way by helping as a volunteer. Belinda Ledger, a keen supporter of Maggie's Hong Kong, organised a Bake Sale which helped raise over HK$15K for Maggie's last November. She also volunteers at Maggie's every week to help with different workshops. Let's hear what she has to say about Maggie's.
Q: Which 3 words would you use to describe Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre? Nurturing, warm, peaceful.
Q: What is your favourite memory of your time volunteering here?
My first visit to the Centre when Harrow students and numerous users sang a variety of songs together at the tops of their voices - it brought tears to my eyes.
Q: What do you think is the most beneficial service Maggie’s offers for people with cancer?
The Centre offers so many helpful services but for me, the most important is making users realise that they are not alone at such a difficult time and that they do not have to be defined by their cancer. The positivity at the Centre is truly overwhelming.
Maggie’s Volunteers
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Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre Newsletter | August 2016
You can help Maggie’s in many different ways. Any help you can give is valued, and every donation helps us support people affected by cancer. We would like to thank the following foundations and supporters.
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre -
Jockey Club Emotional & Psychosocial Support Programme
Funded by:
“Mind-Body-Spirit” Programme
Funded by:
There are lots of things in this world we can live without but books aren't one of them as they are one of the greatest pleasures in life. Here at Mag-gie's library we are happy to work with a great local initiative Read-Cycling – the brand new books were donated by them from part of the proceeds made at their annual reader's carnival Bring A Book & Share. Thank you for spreading the joy of reading to our users!
Read-Cycling
HULA is a new global marketplace for the resale of designer women's clothing, shoes, bags and acces-sories in mostly new or hardly worn condi-tions. A minimum 5% of profits will be donated across partnered charities including Mag-gie's. Visit http://thehula.com now and shop to sup-port our cancer care services!
Shop to Donate via HULA!
Support Maggie’s
Add︰Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun
Hospital, New Territories, HK Tel:2465 6006
Email︰info@maggiescentre.org.hk
Website︰www.maggiescentre.org.hk