A Patron, an Encourager, and an Advocate

Ho Peng Kee, CCF Patron

Years ago, when Professor Ho Peng Kee was the master and resident fellow of the National University of Singapore’s Kent Ridge Hall, he was asked one day if the hall could be used to house young cancer patients participating in Camp Rainbow.

“The organisers had difficulties finding a place to host the kids. Perhaps at that time people didn’t want to be involved with children with cancer, because they were worried that something might happen to the kids,” he said.

But Prof Ho wanted to encourage and affirm the camp’s participants - both the children and their parents.

“These were very spunky kids who were determined to get well,” he says.

His affirmation and support would continue in the years to come. In 1996 when the charity was renamed Children’s Cancer Foundation from Walking in Aid of Leukaemia Kids (WALK), the then-Senior Parliament Secretary for the Ministries of Law and Home Affairs assumed the role of Patron.

“Today, CCF is doing more to fulfill the needs of patiens, not just through the dark times but through their recovery and reintegration into their normal routines as well.”

While he asserts that CCF staff were the ones doing the critical, day-to-day work of caring for patients and supporting families, Prof Ho tapped on his professional network to advocate for the charity. For instance, he reached out to fellow office holders to lend their presence as Guest-of-Honour for events such as Hair for Hope.

“It is my privilege to have connected with a lot of people, and I want to add value in any way I can to be that link for CCF,” says Prof Ho.

Through the years, he has seen how CCF has grown in its offering of services for both patients and their families. “In the early days, the support was more basic, covering things like financial aid and transport of patients. Today, CCF is doing more to fulfill the needs of patients, not just through the dark times but through their recovery and reintegration into their normal routines as well,” he says.

To the patients and families, he has a simple message of hope: “You are not alone. You have people at CCF that understand your struggles. Let us know how we can help. We are a work-in-progress, but we will work together to meet your needs. We are here for you.”

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#25 A Patron, an Encourager, and an Advocate

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