Seventy-nine-year-old Mdm Tan Soon Kheng lives alone. She faced difficulties attending her monthly medical appointments alone after being diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Since learning about Singapore Red Cross TransportAid, going to her medical appointments has been a breeze. She shares how TransportAid has enhanced her life.

Mdm Tan Soon Kheng, 79, has been living alone as her daughter is completing her Master’s overseas in Germany. She was diagnosed with Stage Three cancer in 2018, and has been undergoing chemotherapy sessions and medication, which has resulted in a weight loss of up to nine kilograms. Without anyone at home, Mdm Tan faced challenges in attending her monthly medical appointments alone.

She learnt about the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) TransportAid through a friend in 2019. Since enrolling with SRC's TransportAid, the selflessness of TransportAid’s volunteers and employees made an impression on her.

“They wake up early to bring me to my early morning medical appointments, and they check in on me to ensure that I’m eating well," she said. 

These days, Mdm Tan, a divorcee, is doing well. The doctors have commended her for taking her medicine regularly, and she has not had the need to change her medication. Although the medication is expensive, tapping into her Medisave Fund eases her financial burden. Still, she complains about the medicine she has to take daily. Yet, she still keeps active by taking walks. Embracing the mindset of continual learning, she has also enrolled in a basic English course. 

Mdm Tan often praises the TransportAid team for allowing her to lead a fulfilling life despite her cancer diagnosis. Despite occasionally feeling exhausted, she still enjoys learning new things and interacting with our volunteers and employees.

She even knows TransportAid’s volunteers and employees by name. 

“They are all good people, and they deliver their services straight from their hearts," she said. 

By Brian Lee Han Quan, Volunteer
Copyedited by Kimberly Seah, Volunteer
Photos by Julian Kam, Marketing Communications & Partnerships Intern