Alicia Ang, 13

School: Chung Cheng High School (Yishun)

Topic: Letter of appreciation to donor family

Award: Third Place, Junior Category, 2021

Dear Miss Low,

It has been a while since we last talked. It feels like only yesterday my grandmother received the cornea transplant. How have you and your family been doing this past year? I hope that you have been doing well and that most of the pain has subsided.

Once again, I want to express my condolences for the loss of your loved one. I can’t begin to imagine the pain you and your family have been feeling. Mr Low was surely a great man. I heard from your daughter, Jenni, that although he was quite a busy man, he would always arrange a special time to spend time with her and her sister. Jenni also mentioned that he loved to help people and, whenever he had time, he would volunteer at Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) Home, an old folk’s home. He would often persuade the entire family to go with him. Mr Low was definitely a man with a heart of gold. A person I will never forget.

I am eternally grateful for the cornea donation. My grandmother’s eyesight has improved significantly. I’m still struck dumb at how much she has changed. Ever since her cornea was damaged, a dark cloud of gloom settled around her. She had become reclusive and stopped participating in family activities. Seeing the negativity in her was heart breaking. However, now that dark cloud has blown away. Now, after the transplant, she is like a totally different person. She has started to open up and talk more. Recently, she has even picked up a new hobby, stitching. She has started making small products, like small keychains. She gives them out to our neighbours and everyone in the house. She says that this is her way of expressing her gratitude and spreading her new found joy. She has been more observant lately. She would go to the park every morning to have a walk and enjoy the beauty of the flora and fauna. She said that after the transplant she feels like a different person. She said that to thank you and your family, she would take extra care of her eyes, and will live her life to the fullest by observing and seeing all there is to see. The atmosphere at home has also improved. On the day of the transplant, we were all tense and worried of all the things that could go wrong. My brain was continuously making worse possible scenarios which made me even more scared. Thankfully, at the end everything turned out fine. Grandma could see clearly again and everyone was relieved. Everyone is happier at home now and cheerful chatter can be heard again. I’m so grateful for grandma’s second chance in life.

In honour of Mr Low I have decided to volunteer my time at Sree Narayana Mission Home. Jenni likes to share her experiences of volunteering there with Mr Low. Thus, I feel that volunteering at the old folk’s home will be a good way of remembering Mr Low. Grandma has volunteered to stitch some keychains, which I can give out to the people in Sree Narayana Mission (Singapore) Home. Other than that, I can also take the initiative to help anyone that is in need. Just like how Mr Low used to always help anyone in need. It can be as simple as lending money to a friend who doesn’t have enough. Whatever it is I will do my best to give back the kindness that I received from your family and to spread the joy of giving.

Once again, I just wanted to thank you and your family for the donation and for giving my grandmother a second chance to see. Mr Law’s donation won’t be forgotten. I pray that your whole family is doing well and that the pain of the incident has subsided. Best wishes for you and your whole family.

Yours sincerely,
Alicia

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2021 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg