The Cancer Warriors Project
Founded in 2006 by Stella Thng after she lost her sister, Sally, to colorectal cancer, The Cancer Warriors Project received much publicity and love from the media and public alike. Stella also received a letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, a former cancer warrior himself.
Please note that the Cancer Warriors book and CD are no longer available at the retail outlets stated in the press release below. If you’d like more information or to buy a book/CD, please contact:
Email: stellathng@stellarcommsconsult.com
Tel: +65 98460214
PRESS RELEASE – 2006
THE CANCER WARRIORS PROJECT
(Aug 2006) In a first-of-its-kind charity drive, magazine editor Stella Thng launched The Cancer Warriors Project, consisting of a book, CD and a charity flea market, to raise awareness, support and funds for cancer patients in Singapore.
Stella recently lost a sister, Sally Thng, to colorectal cancer. “When my sister was ill, I couldn’t find any books on cancer patients that had an Asian context; most were from America or Europe,” says Stella Thng, an editor with LIME magazine.
She was also inspired by her sister’s spunky spirit. “After Sally passed away last December, I wanted to help other patients by compiling a book about cancer warriors’ experiences, how they overcome their fears, useful tips on food, emotional support, websites and books… I wanted a book that would have comforted Sally and my family during that painful, petrifying period.”
The Cancer Warriors book features 23 stories of ordinary people with extraordinary tales of their cancer combat. It includes heart-baring interviews with patients including:
- veteran comedy actress, Koh Chieng Mun, 47 (breast and kidney cancer)
- the late Joan Chan Shu Fang, 20 (tongue cancer)
- Filmer Tan, 5 (brain tumour)
- Chan York Leng, 90 (colorectal cancer)
- Derek Lauchengco, 39 (bone cancer)
Stella also interviewed celebrities who have lost close family and friends to cancer, including:
- Singapore Idol Top 12 finalists
- Taiwanese singer and Superband host Milk
- Gotcha host Howard Lo
Sponsored by Dyna-M Industrial Supplies and KHL Printing, Cancer Warriors is published with the support from National Cancer Centre and National University of Singapore. NCC and NUH’s oncologists and counsellors contributed to an FAQ section and a chapter on “cancer etiquette”, which gives tips on how to comfort cancer patients and their bereaved family, especially children.
Cancer Warriors CD
The Cancer Warriors CD will be launched in conjunction with the book, featuring performances by some of the biggest names in local music like Sun Ho, Ronin, Electrico and West Grand Boulevard. MediaCorp artiste Fiona Xie made her singing debut on ‘Love Will Shine On Through’, a duet with Ronin’s Levan Wee, who specially wrote two songs for this charity CD. It is produced by renowned local producer Leonard Soosay (Electrico, Ronin, West Grand Boulevard) and co-produced by Wayne Thunder from Melbourne-based band, The Suns. [see attached: Quotes from The Cancer Warriors CD artistes]. The 9-track album also features two songs by the family and friends of the late Sally Thng and Joan Chan.
The book and CD will be officially launched with a Cancer Warriors concert at *scape Youth Park, 9 Sep 2006, 2.30pm. Artistes performing or making an appearance include Ronin, West Grand Boulevard, Electrico, the Singapore Idol Top 3 finalists and more, and will be hosted by Singapore Idol host, Daniel Ong.
Dr Maliki Osman, the Parliamentary Secretary for National Development and Deputy Chairman for National Youth Council, is the Guest of honour for the launch. Dr Maliki, who helped Filmer Tan’s family with their appeal to HDB to solve their housing woes, will also receive a token of appreciation from the five-year-old cancer warrior.
Also happening on 9 Sep is the Cancer Warriors-themed LIME Flea Market @ *scape. Organised by Mediacorp Publishing, all rental proceeds from the flea market will be donated to the Cancer Warriors cause. In addition, Motorola, Ed Hardy, Crocs, 77th Street, Sony-BMG and UIP have contributed items, with all proceeds going to The Cancer Warriors Project’s chosen charities.
Proceeds from the book, CD and flea market will be donated to the Terry Fox Run Foundation, Methodist Hospice Fellowship, Breast Cancer Foundation and Joan Chan trust fund.
The Cancer Warriors CD ($14.90) is available at all Sembawang Music Centres and customer service counters at CapitaLand shopping malls island-wide, such as Plaza Singapore, Bugis Junction, Junction 8 and IMM. The book ($12.90) is also available at 7-Eleven stores island-wide.
Find out more about The Cancer Warriors Project at the press conference, held in conjunction with the Terry Fox Run.
What: The Cancer Warriors Project Press conference
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom
When: 31 Aug (Thur), 10.30am
For more information, contact: Stella Thng: HP: 9846 0214 Email: cancerwarriors@gmail.com
Artistes’ quotes on THE CANCER WARRIORS PROJECT
From singer SUN HO:
About the project … “I was made aware of this project when a long-time mutual friend of both Stella (LIME editor) and I hooked us up. He’s been updating me constantly about Stella’s recent efforts towards cancer research and I’m just amazed by her tenacity and determination to move it forward. Talk about humble beginnings … It all began with a simple idea for a book of true-life accounts and it’s become so much more now … I’m really proud of Stella and I’m privileged to be invited to sing for this charity single.”
About the song … “It’s a beautiful and heartfelt song and I’m excited to record it with Ronin. The first few lines say it all … Don’t take too long to say I love you to the ones you love, cause time has a habit of slipping away … I hope that our collaboration will be able to add to this entire cause and, in the process, bring that bit of much-needed comfort and love to cancer victims and their families.”
From Danish producer PETER STENGAARD:
(Peter is US songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren’s in-house producer for Realsongs Publishing, and he has worked with Lindsay Lohan, Donna Summers, JC Chasez, The Matrix, Jasmine Trias, etc.)
About the recording … “I’ve recorded Sun on a couple of occasions for the two Diane Warren compositions that’s gonna appear on her upcoming US debut album, and it’s been a blast working with her. She’s got a very professional work ethic and is a totally diligent artist in the studio … So when she approached me to help out in this project and it’s for charity, I said, ‘Heck yeah!’ I’m glad to be able to do what I can even though I’m oceans apart from you guys in Singapore.”
“I was very touched by Stella’s project and as a friend, singing on the album is the only thing I can do to help. I hope we’ll be able to raise lots of funds and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, so go out and buy the book and CD!” – Fiona Xie
“I’ve had friends and family who’ve had cancer and it’s a terrifying thing. I hope more can be done to raise awareness for early detection and funding for research.” – Daniel Sassoon, Electrico
“I’ve never had a close personal friend or family member pass away from cancer but through the many moments I spent on this project and with people who have been directly affected, something touched me deeply. So from now on, all the songs I write will be my little voice for the world; that love will always shine on through.” – Levan Wee, Ronin
“I think it’s so important to be aware and to share knowledge of what we know, especially when it comes to a topic such as cancer. I’m honoured to be a part of this charity project.” – Daphne Khoo, West Grand Boulevard
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