“In both the Design and Essay Competition, it is very clear how very passionate our young persons are once they are made aware of the gravity of suffering because of end stage organ failure and how organ donation it impacts the families.

The design entries certainly enthralled me with the kaleidoscope of colors, emotions and techniques employed. Every piece tells its own story which is unique, a true master piece! Organ donation and transplantation, a very difficult subject portrayed in a piece of art.

The expression of emotions - joy, sadness, despair, excitement, gratitude and love exudes with such intensity from the pieces. It is also so interesting to have the artists’ perspectives of everyday things that are associated with organ donation and transplantation. A picture that says a thousand words, a picture that encapsulates the artists’ thoughts and emotions.

Judging such high quality entries is indeed difficult- bringing me countless times to return to the pieces for a second or third review. It is a privilege to witness such creativity from our young artists.

The expository essays are well researched with the subject analysed in depth and arguments presented in a cohesive and succinct manner. Letters that makes the greatest impact are those that are able to make an emotional and personal connection with the recipients. The ability to understand what is really important to the recipients and to be able to reach out in a non-condescending manner not just flooding with hard facts and figures. The fine balance of an effective approach.

The Live On Festival has provided a platform for our young to be exposed to some of the harsh realities and sufferings in life that could plague anyone. Knowledge can bring about societal change and through writing it provides understanding and meaning.”

Mr William Phuan (Executive Director, Singapore Book Council)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

“Many of the submissions impressed with their earnestness and conviction. They were able to express their ideas and arguments in a clear and sound way. The winners stood out from the rest for their high level of craft in writing, and the creative ways that they injected their strong imagination and narrative into their essays. They were able to weave together a persuasive perspective, relatable narrative and authentic voice to draw the readers in. Their works were compelling to read, and thoughtfully advocated for the importance of organ transplant. A big congratulation to all the winners and writers! Continue on your writing journey, and I look forward to seeing more new works from all of you!”

Dr William Wan (General Secretary, Singapore Kindness Movement)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

“The competition does stimulate thinking around the very challenging issue of organ donation. I can feel much empathy in the students’ essay for those who need the transplants. It is very good for the students to immerse themselves in the positive emotions of life-giving positivity and hope of the donees and the risks and sacrifices of the donors. The letters are heartwarming and caring – both in persuading acceptance of the organ donation and lifestyle change of the donee. It is a good exercise in sensitizing the writers to the realities and challenges donees face in either situation. The public essays are stimulating with good arguments for and against incentivisation for organ donation. The reasons put forward for the dearth of donation are also thought-provoking. Some of the ideas for promoting awareness of the need for organ donation are very practical. I love the idea that organ donation is about leaving behind a legacy of hope and kindness by paying life forward.”

Portrait of Assistant Professor Michelle Chiang

Assistant Professor Michelle Chiang (School of Humanities, Coordinator of the Medical Humanities Research Cluster, Nanyang Technological University)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

“It is a privilege to read these thoughtful essays. All of them demonstrated an understanding of how making the choice to donate one's organ is not an easy one, but that it would go a long way to helping those in need of a second chance to live. Whereas almost all our writers indicated excellent knowledge of the facts and figures pertaining to organ donation, the best essays are those that foregrounded human relationality by critically considering different perspectives in tandem with supporting their argument for organ donation with facts and figures.”

Ms Judith Tan (Editor, TheHomeGround Asia)

LOF - Essay Competition Judging Panel

“The reasons why I agreed to be a judge are: I believe in the cause of organ donation as it gives the recipient a second chance in life and perhaps it also offers the donor family some form of closure as the donor lives on in several others. To be fair to each contestant, I made sure I blocked time for a single entry, and I only read and scored one entry per hour. I tried to gear my scoring to my perception of the writing. Honestly, there were entries that made me wish for more pages to read and those, I scored highly.”