Letters of Hope

Next week, YAF launches a new cancer care project Letters of Hope, where young people will be creating handcrafted postcards and writing messages of support to help cancer patients through their journey. This programme will be led by the inspiring workshop leader and cancer veteran Rae Leung. We speak to Rae…

在這個愛的季節，除了戀愛，其實悖可以有關愛。YAF正展開癌症關懷行動「陽光語」，藉著青少年親手製作的心意卡，為癌症病人送上關懷及支持。就在行動開始之前，我們訪問了計劃導師梁卉瀚小姐，原來她也是一位癌症患者……

Why create Letters of Hope? 為什麽創辦「陽光語」？

I have been volunteering at a US based program, ChemoAngels since 2009, writing and sending regular positive messages to cancer patients undergoing treatment by postal mail, all the way from Hong Kong, to US, Canada, even Thailand. HKYAF and I thought, if we can send hope, brighten up a patient’s day across the globe, why not create this initiative in our own community?

自2009年開始，我一直都有參與美國的義工組織《ChemoAngels》，定期寫作正面信息，以郵寄方式發送到香港、美國、加拿大、以至泰國，為正接受治療的癌症患者打氣。既然我們能傳送希望之光，照亮世界各地的病人，那何不在我們的社區裡舉辦這項計劃呢？

In the very hectic, busy lives of Hong Kong people, we can pause and connect with those in need of care and support. We can also make it extra dynamic, colourful and artistic with the effort of handicraft work.

在香港人的繁忙生活中，我們有時可以停一停、抖一抖，並去關懷和支持一些有需要的人。我們也可把生活變得更有活力、多姿多彩，及以手工藝作品增加生活藝術氣息。

Sharing life experience and my vision with young people has always been a goal of mine. YAF has given me so much opportunity to reach young adults, offering insight, inspiration, encouraging creativity and motivation. Young people around the world need be aware that cancer is an issue that affects all ages. Showing them how to communicate to anyone dealing with cancer brings them one step closer to open expression.

一直以來，我期望能與青少年分享我的生活經驗和想法。 YAF給予我眾多的機會接觸青少年，協助他們發掘新靈感和啟發，並鼓勵他們發揮創意和動力。全球的青少年都需要知道其實癌症並沒有年齡界限，只要了解與癌症患者的溝通方法，他們便逐漸學會坦然表達情感。

Tell us about yourself 簡單介紹自己

I was never trained as an artist, or studied any medium formally. My skills were born from passion and persistence, seizing the right opportunities, making valuable mistakes and learning from each experience. My wide range of creative endeavours range from writing, interior decorating, voice recording, photography, and have an immense appreciation for cinema as well.

我從來沒接受過任何藝術訓練，或修讀任何藝術課程。我的才能來自我的熱情與堅持，把握各個合適的機會，從每個經驗及錯誤中學習。我的創作包括文字寫作、室內設計、語音製作、攝影，而我對電影有莫大的興趣。

My cancer journey began late 2007, and since then, I have manipulated the experience as inspiration, reflecting upon each turn, each bump on the road. Through various projects, sharing and speaking engagements, I have been gracefully offered the opportunity to reach people, to inspire positivity with hope and strength.

自2007年年底，我的癌症旅程正式展開。由那時起，我將所有經歷視為創作靈感，見證旅程上的每一次轉機及沖擊。通過多個項目計劃、分享會和演講，我得到珍貴的機會，與大眾分享，啟發​人們​正面的希望和力量。

I continue to deal with cancer, working closely with medical support to reap the best of what is available to me. I refuse to be defined by an illness, however life-threathening it can be. There’s plenty more about me that is much more interesting than the cancer poster child I have become!

我與癌症繼續抗戰，與醫頀人員通力合作，為我提供最好的醫療方法。我並不認同我是患上一種疾病，但奈何它的確威脅著我的生命。除了成為癌症海報裡的孩子外，其實其他方面的我會更有趣的！

What helped you most through your journey? 有甚麼最能幫助你渡過這個旅程？

The strong faith that I have the strength to persevere; patience in the darkest moments that sunshine will shine through once again; my family who has been through the highs and lows together with me. It’s a miracle I’m still alive, there have been near death moments, all thanks to the above.

我有強大的堅持信念；在生命低潮中，耐心等待即將來臨的生命曙光；陪伴我經歷人生高低起伏的家人。我還能活著實在是一個奇蹟，能在死亡邊緣沿涯勒馬，一切光榮歸於天上。

What advice do you have for people who are going through cancer treatment? 你有甚麼訊息給予正接受癌症治療的人？

Be well informed with the correct information, do whatever feels right for you. Accept the facts, deal with each challenge with composure. Aggression, anger and resentment can only bring about a negative outcome. We don’t need to be fighting, battling, combating, struggling all the time – how much energy does that burn, when we can use it much more wisely. We are not victims either. Being alive, we have already won. Each moment is not the last we shall live, but it is meaningful and precious. Make it worthwhile.

掌握及充分了解正確的資訊，做你認為對的事。接受事實，並冷靜面對每一個挑戰。敵視、憤怒和怨恨只會帶來負面結果。我們並非時刻都在抗爭、戰鬥、鬥爭、搏鬥 —這使我們虛耗多少能量？何不將這些力量放在更有用的地方。我們並不是受害者，能夠活著就是勝利。

How is the cancer support scene in Hong Kong? 你認為香港癌症病患者的支援足夠嗎？

There are plenty of resources from charities to health organisations that offer relevant guidance and caring support, easily accessible. It’s up to the individual to be proactive to make use of these services, and allow professionals to help them.

現時有足夠的資源來自慈善及醫療機構，為患者提供指導和支持，且十分方便及容易餌可獲得。只要你願意主動一點，即可使用他們的服務，並有專業人士從旁協助。

What can young people do to support cancer patients through their journey? 你認為青少年可如何支持癌症患者？

Be aware of the basic facts of what cancer is, and how cancer treatment can affect anyone, whatever age, as young as teenagers. Armed with this knowledge, young people will be more equipped to communicate effectively to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, friends, family, young or old. Cancer happens to all ages, numbers in young adults and adolescents are growing for various factors. Find the empathy and understanding to reach out to cancer patients, let them know in words and deed that you are there for them with care and support. Focus on the positive. The experience of reaching out, sharing positive energy will teach invaluable life lessons.

首先理解癌症是甚麼的一回事，及癌症治療如何影響任何人、任何年齡階層，包括年青人。有了這方面的知識，青少年便有足夠準備與患者、其朋友、家人、年輕或年老的進行有效的溝通。癌症並沒有年齡界限，在各種因素下更有年輕化的趨勢。以同理心及適當的認知接觸癌症患者，藉著文字和行動，讓他們知道你一直都在關心及支持他們，從正面角度伸出援手。這種溝通和正能量的分享經驗，絕對是人生寶貴的一課。

What are the misconceptions people have about cancer? 人們對癌症有甚麼的誤解？

Cancer can be a life-threatening disease, but living with cancer does not mean it’s constantly about life and death. We can continue to live a fulfilled, rewarding daily life, even forgetting that we have cancer. Cancer should not be a taboo subject, we need to break down the communication barriers so that patient and care-giver can honestly, effectively speak from the heart. And I can still look fabulous even though I have cancer!

癌症是威脅生命的疾病，但患上癌症並不意味著它只是生或死。我們仍可過著滿足、有價值的生活方式，甚至忘記了我們有癌症。癌症不應是一個禁忌話題，我們必須打破溝通障礙，使病人和家屬都能夠真切地道出心裡所想。即使我患上癌症，我還是很好看的！

My dream superpower is…如果你有一種超能力，你希望是甚麼？

I think I already have a superpower! The believe that the skies can fall down, and I will still be standing. :)

我想我已經擁有超能力了！就是那種儘管天倒下來，我仍然屹立不倒的信念。 :)

If I could meet an artist for a day, it would be… 如果你有機會與一位藝術家碰面，你希望遇上哪一位？為什麼？

A photographer, seer and story teller, all in one. It takes a special eye to see the moments amidst the intricacies of life, interpret that moment through light and point of view, capture and seize, telling a unique story through his lens.

Likely Robert Capa, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2013, or his contemporary Henri Cartier-Bresson. Both my heroes, they were two of the venerable founders of Magnum photo agency.

一位集攝影師、預言家和說書者於一身的人。它有著一雙特殊的眼睛，能夠看到生命錯綜複雜的一瞬，通過光線和角度捕捉這麼一刻，並用他的鏡頭講述每一個獨有的故事。

大概是羅伯特‧卡帕，一位在2013年紀念誕生100週年的藝術家，或是同期的亨利‧卡蒂埃‧布列松。他們倆都是我心目中的英雄，更創立了著名的馬格南圖片社。