Koh Tong Le, 14

School: Admiralty Secondary School

Topic: Email to aunt on her health

Award: Special Mention, Junior Category, 2022

Dear Aunt Josephine,

How have you been? I hope you are fine. I am writing to express concern over your health as I know that you have just gone through a liver transplant recently.

I heard from Uncle Benny, that shortly after the operation, you have reverted to your old ways of drinking and smoking again. Did you know that according to a 2020 report published by the National University Hospital (NUH), the average waiting time for a deceased donor liver transplant is 1 year in Singapore? You are so fortunate to have received the transplant before your condition worsened further. I really think that unlike those who did not outlive the wait, you are so blessed and thus should have cherished it more. In addition, it would also do more justice to the deceased donor whom you got the liver from.

Should you continue to live unhealthily, there will be serious consequences. You may damage the liver and it can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), infection, electrolyte deficiencies and bleeding, which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. As the liver is a very ‘silent’ organ, it can keep working even if part of it is damaged or removed. However, if it starts to shut down completely, you can survive for only a day or two unless you get emergency treatment. Without treatment, both acute and chronic liver failure may even result in death!

If you would like to prevent those serious health consequences, here are some lifestyle changes you can consider adopting. Firstly, you should avoid alcohol as it can be a major cause of fatty liver disease and other liver diseases. Secondly, it would be good to avoid food that is fried, and those high in sugar and salt content and red meat. You can maintain your liver’s health by eating lots of vegetables and especially green, leafy vegetables. Apart from that, you could also eat acidic fruits like berries and oranges. Also, do take note that though egg whites are good for your liver, the yolk is a source of bad cholesterol and over-consumption of eggs can lead to digestion issues. As for drinks, you could start drinking green tea, which has great antioxidant properties!

Apart from dietary changes, it is important for you to lose some weight and be active too. You should aim to exercise for around 150 minutes per week. You could brisk-walk, swim, cycle or use an elliptical trainer. I can exercise with you too, if you need a companion!

In conclusion, all of us are really worried about you. We hope that you will not revert to your unhealthy lifestyle and risk damaging your liver again. We would like you to cherish the new lease of life and create more memories with us.

Thank you for reading and I will be visiting you and Uncle Benny soon!

Yours sincerely,
Tong Le

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