Michelle Choo En, 14

School: CHIJ Secondary

Topic: Email to aunt on her health

Award: High Distinction, Junior Category, 2022

Dear Aunt Alice,

How are you? Some time has passed since I last saw you, and I am sorry that I have not been able to visit you recently. I hope that you are coping well, especially since you recently had a liver transplant. It must be a big adjustment, and I am writing to talk about why and how you should stay healthy. I hope that this email will help you to understand why it is important not to go back to old unhealthy habits like drinking, so you can continue to stay well!

Firstly, I hope you understand why your liver should be cherished. A liver transplant is not easy to get, the average waiting time per person being around 1.7 years. We were very fortunate to be able to find a suitable liver donor, and that all the procedures went smoothly despite your condition. I remember the overwhelming relief that everyone felt when we heard the news that there was a suitable liver donor, but imagine what it must be like for families who wait for long periods of time, but are never able to experience these feelings. I cannot even begin to imagine their pain. Sadly, some people are not as fortunate as you were, so this transplant should not be taken for granted.

Another point I want to raise is that there are undesirable consequences for not taking good care of your health, with many illnesses shown to be directly related to excessive consumption of alcohol. For one, it increases the risk of severe diseases like cancer, heart disease and so on. Excessive drinking is all the more a health hazard, since the reason for your need for a transplant was related to alcohol consumption. There is a chance of an alcohol relapse in this situation, which is something we should avoid. Uncle George and the rest of us care deeply for you, and we do not want to see you in such pain again. I hope that you can try not to go back to unhelpful habits in order to avoid any further health issues.

I would like to share some tips that can help you to preserve your good health. You might want to try consulting a health professional if you feel that it is hard to change your drinking habits. It will take time, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Meanwhile, you can try to find a relaxing hobby to take up, such as painting or knitting. You can also try exercising regularly, as these activities release chemicals that can help you to feel more relaxed, reducing the yearning for alcohol.

I hope that this is helpful for you, and that you will continue to stay safe and healthy. Please remember that I care about you very much. Take care!

Yours sincerely,
Michelle

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2022 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