Sum Jia Yu Kaedon, 14

School: Hai Sing Catholic School

Topic: Your organ transplant journey as a teenager

Award: Special Mention, Junior Category, 2024

A New Lease on Life as A Conqueror

I was just thirteen when I needed a liver transplant. The journey was life-altering, filled with a myriad of emotions.

My parents were hawkers who worked long hours. Being not well off and living a frugal life did not quite bother me as my parents loved me very much. I focused a lot on my studies so that I could score good grades and provide my parents with a better life after I graduated. At times, I felt tired, especially during examination period, so when I experienced pain in my upper right abdomen, nausea, and sleepiness, I attributed those symptoms to examination stress. On that fateful day, I collapsed in the school toilet during recess.

At the hospital, although my eyes were closed, I could hear my mother weeping.

“He is such a good boy. He knows that we work hard to earn a living, so he never asks us for anything, not even any overseas trip or mobile phone. I can’t even give him my liver. I am a useless mother! I can’t save him. Doctor, I beg you. Please help my son get a donor. He is still so young, please!”

I slowly regained consciousness. Although the moment of truth struck me, with the bare energy that I had, I whispered to my parents,

“Don’t be sad, Pa and Ma. Even if my life is short, I am contented with our simple lives together. I love you and I am so grateful to be your son!”

“You are a fighter! Don’t you give up!” My father clenched my fist with his voice trembling.

The waiting period for a suitable donor was a test of resilience. As I grappled with the uncertainty of when a match would be found, each passing day brought with it a revelation of how delicate a human life is. The yellowish hue on my skin and eyes due to jaundice was a constant sign of my deteriorating liver. Fatigue became my regular companion, sapping my energy.

Friends my age lived a carefree childhood while I was faced with the gravity of life and death. There were countless moments of profound fear of losing my life, and I began to lose track of the number of times I broke down in the middle of the night in the hospital ward, not knowing how many months, or even days I had left.

I tried to draw strength from the support of my family who stood by me through this harrowing journey. Their love and encouragement served as a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. My parents’ eyes were often red from sleepless nights but their faces always lighted up with smiles of reassurance when they saw me. My friends rallied around me and updated me enthusiastically about the school fundraising campaign they had organised for me.

Finally, after a torturous 3 months wait, a donor had been found but his identity remained anonymous. Emotions of gratitude and relief were overwhelming. The night before the surgery, tears streamed down my face as I clutched onto my parents. Their comforting words were barely audible over my pounding heart.

I was wheeled into the operating theatre the following day, placing my faith and trust in the skilled hands of the medical team. I drifted into unconsciousness after going under anaesthesia.

When I woke up, it was almost like a new start to life. I was no longer the same person I was before; I was a survivor. The first time I looked into the mirror after the surgery, I did not recognise myself - a pale and gaunt face, but my eyes held a spark that returned like a long-lost friend. As my vision shifted downwards, the scars on my abdomen served as an indelible reminder of a battle fought and won.

As I gradually recovered, my gratitude and admiration for the donor’s selflessness only grew stronger. I am determined to live each day to the fullest in honour of him.

Having been through the brink of death, I have learnt how precious life is and incredibly fragile, alas, only becomes apparent when a tragedy occurs, as we often assume we are indestructible. I was fortunate enough to have my loved ones by my side in this direst phase of my life, or I would not have had the mental capacity to keep fighting on.

Here, is to a purposeful, passionate, promising new beginning. We are all conquerors.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2024 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