Mr Yeo Kay Kong found it hard to say goodbye to his beloved wife of 45 years, Mdm Chong Nyuk Lan, when her cancer relapsed. It was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in his life. Mr Yeo knows that day would have come sooner without the blood donors whose gift of blood prolonged his wife's life. He feels a “thank you" does not adequately express his gratitude.

Mdm Chong Nyuk Lan was first diagnosed with cancer in 2009, but she beat the odds and was declared cancer-free by her doctors. However, ten years later, she and her husband Mr Yeo Kay Kong received the devastating news that her cancer had relapsed. 

Mdm Chong underwent chemotherapy regularly. But while the treatment eliminates cancer cells, it also harms the healthy cells in a patient’s body. With fewer healthy blood cells in her body, Mdm Chong soon required blood transfusions to sustain her life.

The Cruel Wait

Although the couple did not have to wait long to find a blood match, the wait was still agonising for them. 

It reminded Mr Yeo of his own blood donation journey during his National Service days. Mr Yeo found it fulfilling that his simple act could save lives, which inspired him to donate blood numerous times. He shared that blood can be easily replenished in a healthy individual’s body.

“Before my wife had a cancer relapse, I knew blood donations were important. But I didn’t realise that it would be this indispensable. It was when my wife needed the blood that the importance of blood donation hit home," he says. 

Fortunately, Mdm Chong received her blood transfusions swiftly. Even as she endured the painful treatments and procedures that often left her feeling weak, she never failed to put on a brave face. Her undaunting spirit, fortitude and resilience in the face of adversity were inspiring for Mr Yeo, who stayed by Mdm Chong’s side at every blood transfusion and procedure.

Unsurprisingly, there were several occasions when tears welled up in Mr Yeo's eyes, but he usually tried to maintain a strong front for his wife. 

Unfortunately, Mdm Chong succumbed to her illness on 18 May 2022, at the age of 69. 

Having weathered the good and bad times with Mdm Chong for 45 years, Mr Yeo felt immense grief and emptiness upon losing his beloved wife.

Unsaid Words

Today, Mr Yeo remains very grateful to the blood donors whose service allowed him to enjoy the company of his wife for several more years.

“Spending the last part of her life in and out of the hospital, she carried on with her treatments for three years thanks to the blood donors,” says the 70-year-old with appreciation. Even when it was challenging for her to speak, Mdm Chong still mustered a ‘thank you’ to the blood donors who gave her a ray of hope.

Just a Little Bit Goes a Long Way

To thank the blood donors for their invaluable contributions, Mr Yeo printed 10,000 bookmarks with heartfelt words of gratitude to the blood donors.  

Cognisant that his wife too would yearn to thank blood donors, Mr Yeo distributed these bookmarks to various blood banks in Singapore to show their appreciation. 

“I want them to know that they are very important. They are our heroes,” he explains. 

A blood donation may take an hour of a donor’s time, but it goes a long way to impact the recipient's life. Blood donors give the blood recipient and their family the precious opportunity to spend more time together. 

Help and You Will Be Helped

Though Mdm Chong has passed on, her memory and the lessons she taught still live on in many hearts. 

Mdm Chong wore many hats during her life. She had dedicated more than 20 years of her life as an online counsellor for a non-profit organisation. She was also a teacher at the Girls’ and Boys’ home, an acupuncturist and a yoga instructor.  

Whether it was visiting the hostels of foreign workers to provide them with free acupuncture, or lending a shoulder for others to cry on as a counsellor, Mdm Chong lived a life of service.

Watching his wife go above and beyond to lend a helping hand to those around her, Mr Yeo is thankful that Mdm Chong too received the help of blood donors during the most crucial period of her life.

“There are many ways to help our nation, and blood donation is one of them. If one is healthy enough and has the heart to save lives, I would encourage them to come forward,” he shares.

By Daeshni Preethi, Marketing Communications & Partnerships Intern
Copyedited by Shahira Ansari, Volunteer