Phung Si Jie, 14

School: Bukit Batok Secondary School

Topic: Email to aunt on her health

Award: Distinction, Junior Category, 2022

Dear Aunt Sofie,

How are you? Is life easier and more convenient the last 3 months after you have received the transplanted organ? I hope so. However, Uncle John told me that he is worried about your health as you have returned to your previous unhealthy lifestyle. Thus, I am writing this letter to persuade you to change and improve your lifestyle.

Do you remember the time when you were diagnosed with end stage liver failure? You had to go to the hospital several times a week for treatment. Not only did you need help moving around, but you also had episodes of confusion and you would not know where you are and cannot recognise people around you. When we saw you in a state of confusion, everyone was so worried and scared. We never dared to leave you alone by yourself. However, every time you had your episodes of confusion, I couldn’t do anything but sit on the sideline and watch the adults handle the situation. This made me very devastated. That was why I was very happy and relieved when I heard that you received a deceased donor liver transplant. I was over the moon. You were one of out of the many in the waiting list to receive a liver transplant. This donated liver gave you a new lease in life and greatly improved your quality of life. If you don’t treasure and take care of your new liver, the donation from the deceased donor would go to waste and their sacrifice would be for nothing.

If you don’t take good care of your new organ and continue your unhealthy habits, your new organ might fail too and you would have to go through the whole process of going to the hospital several time a week, the long waiting for a new organ and the painful symptoms of liver failure not only for you but for the entire family too. Your unhealthy lifestyle of drinking and smoking caused your first liver to fail. If you do not change and improve your lifestyle, the same thing will happen to your new organ.

But the big question is how to improve your lifestyle? Fret not! I did some research and this is what I found. Firstly, you need to have a well-balanced diet. The diet should be low in salt, cholesterol, fat and sugar. You should also avoid alcohol, instead you can drink low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Most importantly, remember to stay hydrated. Secondly, exercising regularly is also very important. Exercising regularly can improve your overall physical and mental health. You can take up low-impact sports such as swimming or cycling. We can go swimming every Sunday together!

I really would not want you to suffer through what you did twice and I am sure the entire family thinks so too so please change your unhealthy lifestyle and take good care of yourself. If you can, let’s go swimming every Sunday together!

Lots of love,
Si Jie

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