Harshitha Patil, 14

School: CHIJ Secondary

Topic: Email to aunt on her health

Award: Distinction, Junior Category, 2022

Dear Aunt Sarah,

Greetings from Singapore! How’s everyone in Malaysia? I hope you are doing well after your recent surgery. I was worried sick when I heard about your liver failure. I am writing this email to express our worries about your health and most importantly, your new liver.Not long ago, during a conversation I had with Uncle Ben, I learnt that you have returned to your previous unhealthy lifestyle again. Our family and I are concerned about your recovery.

I believe that you are extremely blessed to have a suitable donor whose family was generous and benevolent enough to be willing to donate the liver of their deceased loved one. It’s of utmost importance that this new organ is treasured like a jewel. Finding a donor is extremely rare and not everyone is lucky enough to receive an organ. This organ that you have received has saved your life and neglecting its needs would result in us returning back to square one.

There are numerous people fighting for their last breath and struggling to do ordinary tasks just because of their failed liver. Therefore it’s vital that we are cautious about the new member of your body. Your transplanted liver’s now more sensitive and vulnerable to damage by chemicals in substances such as alcohol than ever. To express gratitude to the donor who granted you a second chance in life, I feel that you have to tend to this precious part of your body.

To embark on this journey of change, you could firstly, quit the regular consumption of alcohol. The cause of your liver failure in the first place was alcohol and repeating the same mistake is going to produce the exact same result. Regular exercise would definitely facilitate your recovery. Exercise would also allow the risk of contracting other diseases to be substantially reduced. Ih addition, your body would become stronger and healthier than before. Exercise could greatly lift your mood and keep you in good spirits, especially after an arduous day of work. Lastly, eating home-cooked meals would certainly benefit your well-being. I am aware that you may not have the time to cook daily meals but you could ask your helper to do so. Eating out often can have adverse effects on your health especially since food sold outside is typically junk food which is much unhealthier and oilier than home-cooked meals. As the saying goes, “Health is wealth”. We only have one body thus we must take proper care of it even though sacrificing time and convenience may be the cost.

These changes may seem daunting but remember Rome was not built in a day. They can occur gradually and you should take it step by step. We are here for you and we will support you because we all want nothing but the best for you. I hope you consider making these changes in your lifestyle. They certainly will help you bounce back stronger than ever.

Love,
Harshitha

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