Thi Thi is in recovery after surviving two cancer relapses. She now needs help affording the life-saving tests and medication that keep her in remission. 

Thi Thi (32) moved to Singapore in 2014 to build a stable future and repay her parents’ sacrifices. She has worked here as an accountant for the last decade, while her sister Thandar has been a senior accountant for 16 years.

The Life-Altering Discovery

In September 2022, Thi Thi discovered a pimple on the left side of her neck that continued to grow. After a day surgery to remove it, she noticed that the wound wasn’t healing, even after a month. A biopsy later revealed devastating news: Stage 4 lymphoma cancer.

The shock was overwhelming. “I could hear the doctor and my sister speaking, but I couldn’t process the information,” she recalled. Thandar became her anchor, helping her communicate with doctors and rally emotional and financial support from friends and family. 

Surrounded by her loved ones who are doing the best they can for her, Thi Thi resolved to stay strong for the family.  “There was only one thing on my mind,” she said, “I will tolerate the pain as much as I can, because my sister is doing everything she can for me.”

After three rounds of chemotherapy, Thi Thi became cancer-free. But her body was left fragile—”wrapped like a mummy” after treatment, and unable to return to work.

The Fight for Survival

In March 2023, the sisters and their family travelled to Bangkok for urgent stem cell therapy, which was significantly more affordable than in Singapore. Her brother donated the stem cells essential to prevent cancer relapse. The treatment brought high fevers, bone and muscle pain, and weeks of struggling to breathe or eat. Thi Thi found relief in regular doses of morphine, and was eventually admitted to the ICU for 10 days. The family feared the worst, but she eventually pulled through.

The Second Battle with Cancer

In May 2024, Thi Thi discovered a lump on her right thigh “as big as a Coke bottle.” She was hospitalised with a high fever, and test results confirmed a relapse of Stage 4 lymphoma. Her scheduled targeted chemotherapy in Bangkok was unfortunately delayed as she had also contracted COVID-19.

Thi Thi spent three months in a critical ward in Bangkok, again with Thandar by her side—bathing her, monitoring her condition and reading research papers to support her in her treatment. Her liver swelled dangerously. Doctors drained fluid from her abdomen four times, and her skin darkened due to medication side effects.

Despite the pain, Thi Thi endured four rounds of targeted chemotherapy (each costing $22,000), half of the recommended eight doses due to financial limitations.

In August 2024, they returned to Singapore for radiation therapy, as it was a more affordable option and Thandar had run out of leaves to take from work. The treatment ended in October 2024, and a PET scan in December confirmed that Thi Thi is once again cancer-free.

While Thi Thi returned to work in January this year, her health limits her. She is unable to walk long distances, and unable to commit to a full work schedule. Her monthly salary is cut by almost 50% due to the amount of unpaid leaves she requires.

She is now in her fourth year of recovery, but her fight isn’t over yet.

Cancer-Free, But Still Not Free

Recovery requires regular blood tests every two months and daily anti-cancer medication to prevent another relapse. These are essential. A missed test could mean a relapse goes undetected. A missed dose could risk everything.

Today, Thi Thi still suffers from memory lapses, a side effect of heavy anaesthesia and trauma. Thandar fills in the gaps, both emotionally and practically.

They cannot return to Myanmar due to political instability and limited medical support. Thi Thi’s employment pass restricts her from taking a second job. 

Despite doing all they can, the family is still drowning in over $150,000 of medical debt. Nearly $1,000 a month goes to treatment alone. Their company insurance has been exhausted, and as non-citizens, they do not qualify for formal aid or subsidies. 

How You Can Help

Ray of Hope is raising $6,522 to cover 10 months of essential recovery costs as Thi Thi works toward her 5-year milestone:

• – Blood tests and check-ups every 2 months – $560
• – Anti-cancer medications – $372.20/month

Your help means Thi Thi won’t have to choose between her recovery and paying the bills.

Hopes for A Cancer-Free Future

“I am thankful for all the small things in life—being able to eat, having medicine to take, knowing that my family is there for me in times of need.”

Thi Thi is doing her best to be her normal self despite her physical limitations, and remains focused on silver linings.

Thi Thi dreams of standing on her own again, paying off her debts, and one day no longer needing her sister’s support. Thandar’s hope is simple: “For my sister to be free from cancer for the rest of her life.”

If you can, please give. Your help will go directly toward keeping Thi Thi healthy, supported, and safe.