Cancer Tsunami

I Remember Your SMILE - Zain Bhikha

We will always remember your SMILE ...Danish

Danish Elder Brother Valedictorian Speech - 2013

A very good morning to our Guest of Honour, Mdm Susan Wang, Principal Mr Chia, Vice Principals Mr Bang, Mrs Wong and Mr Ang, distinguished guests, parents, teachers and friends. My name is Thaqif and I am honoured to be the Valedictorian this year.

First of all I would like to thank the school for giving me the opportunity to deliver the Valedictory Speech on behalf of my graduating batch. To my parents and sisters, my gratitude for their unwavering support as I journey through life. to the school leaders, my teachers and schoolmates, thanks for being a part of my 4 enriching years in Bedok Town Secondary.

My fellow school mates may be wondering what sets me apart to enable me to achieve the Best All round Student Award. My answer is simple. I am just like any other student. I have my fair share of challenges. But I overcame these challenges because in life, it is all about getting up when you are down trodden and never giving up. My intent of sharing my experiences is not to bag or boast but rather, I hope to move my juniors to overcome your share of challenges in life as well.

It felt like yesterday when I joined the school on 2nd January 2009. It was exactly 32 days after my four-year-old brother, Danish, succumbed to cancer. I stepped into the school with feelings of sadness and regret. Sadness - because my little brother could not witness my transition to secondary school. Regret - because I was looked down upon by many of my relatives, who felt that my PSLE result was disappointment.

The following years proved to be one of he most challenging period of my life. I grappled with additional subjects, extra workload as well as my responsibilities as a Student Councillor. Through it all, I must thank my family and teachers who never once gave up, never once stopped believing in me. Then, in December 2011, just a year before I was to sit for my 'O' level Examinations, I was diagnosed with a tumour in my nose. I was scared as my family had a medical history of cancer. My studies were affected and days went by with sleepless nights. I could hardly focus on any lesson and my morale was at an ultimate low.

Over the years I have learned that there are only two ways to handle a challenge. The first is to find a solution by praying and patiently persevering. The second is if the problem cannot be solved, then the solution is to acknowledge it, live with it and move on. In June 2012, I received the medical biopsy report that my tumour was benign and not cancerous. The doctors told me that if the tumour does not recede in a few years then it could become cancerous. I could finally focus on my 'O' level Examinations and make the people around me proud of my efforts. And I can safely say that my efforts have paid off.

Today, I realised that coming to this school was a blessing in disguise. Bedok Town Secondary has moulded me from a shy and timid child into a confident person through the leadership training I received and the guidance if great teachers. The school knew about the challenges I was facing and the teachers were very understanding and patient. I would like to thank the following teachers - Ms Cindy Tan now known as Mrs Lim, Mr Yap Kim Hon, Cikgu Azizah, Mr Anwar, Mrs Florence Tan, Mdm Norwita, Mr Desmond Tan, Mr Syed Danial and Mr Daniel Ng for being there for me especially in the year leading up to the 'O' Level Examinations. Thanks for being a family to me in a place I call my second home.

Before I end my speech, I have a message to all my juniors, Live yours dreams, never let anything stand between you and your dreams. No matter how tough things turn out for you, get up and keep moving on.

As Walt Disney once said, " If you can dream it, then you can do it."

I dreamt, and therefore I did.

Thank you.

A Hero (A Two Part Special) Part 1

Danish was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer of the nervous system on October 2006 when he was 2 years 3 months old......

Danish met Entrepreneur / Religious Leader Aa Gym whom loves him very much.

Danish only had a 20 percent chance of survival.

He's gone through a 2 hour head surgery and 8 chemotherapy sessions ( 8 months ).

He also has been through 10 hours of major abdominal surgery to remove the cancer cells in his body.

He also met CEO of BGC Mark Spring and son Guy Spring at the charity event for Children Cancer Foundation organised by BGC in 2008.

Actress Aileen Tan from Medicorp, Steve Dawson from ESPN and other celebrities attended the event.

Danish also met Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah during a High Tea held at Meridien Orchard Hotel in 2008.

Danish also had to go through full body radiation therapy over 3 days, 2 days harvesting of stem cells, 40 days Bone Marrow Transplant at K K Children and Women Hospital.

He also went through 17 days of follow-up radiation at Singapore General Hospital and 2 hours of neck surgery.

Danish also met Mrs Roger Hamilton and Daniel Priestly at Bali, Indonesia.

Danish was always smiling. He was a HERO for enduring so much.......without complaining

Danish 4th Birthday at his home with his family.

Special Thanks to :

LukeTear

Fantasy Dreams Productions

Celine Dion

Mariah Carey

Phil Collins

On My Way Now (A Part Two Special) Part 2

PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S HAPPENING..Thanks

"A Two part special. It was supposedly suppose to be one long video of 10 minutes 53 seconds but youtube doesn't allowed more than 10 minutes so I have to cut it in half.. Or My Version of half anyway.. This is the 1st part. Even though it's a two part special, the second part will have a totally different title (but I'll put the 'second part' next to the title so you'll know.

A Tribute to Danish. RIP my Dearest Danish. This video is a tribute to my beloved brother Danish. He suffers from stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer of the nervous system when he was two. He passed on on the 30th November 2008 when he was four. He's truly a strong boy. Never did he once complain and he's very wise for his age. His last words were to his mother whom he called ummi. He said "I'm going home. I'm going to miss you. I love you ummi," before slipping into a comma. He passed away peacefully a few hours later. This is also for everyone out there who have lost dear ones, be it family, friends or friends of friends. RIP... and may they be remembered..

DISCLAIMER:All material is used for my personal use and not for gain. I do not own the song (nor the people) All material is copyrighted to its original owner.

" Quote taken from Luketear(a friend).. I've gotten permission from Luketear to upload this..

Happy Mother's Day

Danish - "Wishing My Amazing Mom and All Moms and All future Moms to be A Very Happy Mother's Day 2014"

More About Danish's Amazing Mom.

When Cancer Strikes Young

Overcoming childhood cancer is often a trying and arduous journey for both the child and his/her parents. However, with medical advances, the light at the end of the tunnel is definitely growing brighter. Here, the Iskandar family shares with us their ordeal when their son Amir Danish, 3, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.

Danish is active and has a penchant for toy cars. If not for his hair loss, no one could have guessed that he is battling neuroblastoma, cancer of the primitive nerve cells.

Doctor's advised "No one knows what the future holds - a cure may be found within a week or a month. Don't give up hope now"

To add to the financial strain, Mdm Hameedah had taken a year of no-pay leave from her job to look after Danish.

The couple believes that when they keep danish happy, his positive emotional state helps in his fight against cancer. That is why Mdm Hameedah will never show her sadness in front of Danish - only unconditional love and care.

As much as they believe in learning from others' experiences, the couple also hope to be of help to others.

To other parents facing similar situations, Mdm Hameedah has this to say, "Exchanging information and talking to people is a good way of learning from others' experiences. And always try your best to keep your child happy." - Healthy Times June/July 2007

Danish the Young Entrepreneur - YESCOM 2008

YESCOM 2008

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SKILLS COMPETITION

Tim Wade and everyone at YESCOM wishes Danish Happy Birthday

3 Years Old Danish Praying in the Hospital

Danish 3 years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Neuroblastoma when he was 2 years old. This was taken in the hospital when he was praying. A book - Cancer Tsunami will be published soon. For enquiries feel free to email me at thomas786shah@gmail.com