Ray of Hope is raising S$20,000 for migrant worker Changmei to seek treatment in her home country. Please donate and give hope to Changmei, as she battles lung cancer.

50-year-old Changmei came to Singapore in November 2018 to work, in the hope of giving her children a better life. After three months of work, she slipped and fractured her lower back at work. However, Changmei’s employer denied that it was a workplace injury and gave her an air ticket to return to China instead of compensating her.

After Changmei lodged a report with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), she suddenly found herself homeless as her employer had thrown her out. MOM offered her the opportunity to look for another job and she found a dishwashing job at a restaurant.

In January 2021, Changmei felt excruciating pain in her hands, due to the heavy dishwashing load at work. She remitted the bulk of her salary home to repay her debts and support her children. Despite the persistent pain in her hands, Changmei only sought medical attention occasionally, when the pain was unbearable. The doctor prescribed painkillers and Changmei continued on that track, until her health was dealt a second blow.

After suffering bouts of persistent coughing in September, Changmei consulted a doctor. The doctor recommended that she see a specialist, but Changmei did not as she could not afford the fee. She took the medication, but her condition did not improve. Finally, she went to the hospital for tests, which revealed that she has stage 4 lung cancer. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes and she was given a prognosis of six months.

Changmei has not shared the painful news with her children. She told our caseworkers that she will not give up on any chance of recovering. She is due to return to China on 22 November, and will seek Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment which will likely cost S$20,000.

*Ray of Hope previously assisted Changmei. This is her second fundraiser.