Fashion for Cancer x Shentonista — By Your Side

Vannesia, Facilities Manager. Wearing a custom-made dress, Shoes from Squee, Bag from Visona, Watch from Cartier.

Olivia, Student. Top from Mothercare, Skirt from Cotton On Kids, Shoes from Cavando, Bag from Korea. 

Olivia was diagnosed with cancer when she was just an infant. Looking back, what were the heaviest moments for you during that time, and how did you cope? 
Vanessia (V): She was just a little baby — only five weeks old — when she was first diagnosed with Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. She’s the youngest of three, and because she was so young, we had to stay in the hospital during her treatment. My husband and I would take turns going home. When things got too heavy for me, I would think about my other kids, and my husband would take over the hospital shift so I could spend time with my other two children and my parents.

As Olivia grew older, how did you begin to explain to her what she had gone through as a baby?
V: We explained it to her through photos — showing her that she was sick when she was young, but that she is well now. We showed her photos of her in treatment and with a feeding tube. We explained that this doesn’t mean she’s any different from anyone else; she is just as well as everybody else.

Olivia, do you remember what it felt like when your mum first told you about what happened to you when you were a baby?
Olivia (O): Yes… I remember feeling curious hearing about it, and about what I did when I was a baby.

V: (to Olivia) When mummy was going through chemotherapy, do you remember how I explained to you what it is, and how you went through it as well, and how brave you were? And how mummy has to be brave to go through it too!

O: Oh ya!

Olivia, if you could travel back in time to when you were a baby in the hospital, what would you say to your mum who was sitting by your side?
O: I would say, “Don’t be scared; try your best, and be brave! I will be right by your side if you need anything!”

That’s such a nice thing to hear. Vannesia, for other families navigating a similar crisis right now, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned that you’d want to share?
V: I don’t wish for anybody to go through what we had to go through. But family support is so important. As long as you have the right support, you will get through it. It’s a whole journey, so don’t think too much about it. Focus on the now, and what’s going to happen tomorrow. Take small steps at a time, and don’t dwell on “what if I don’t get well.” I’m not going to tell you to “just be positive,” because I think that’s a bit overrated. Just taking each step at a time is what actually helps.

You both had to watch someone you deeply love fight a severe illness. How has that shaped the way you show care to one another today?
O: I show care by going up to give them a hug and being right by their side! If they are hurt, I will hold their hand and pick them up.

V: She really does that a lot. When I was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, sometimes she would just come and sit down next to me without saying a word, and hold my hand or give me a hug. That really helped.

For me, having gone through what she went through when she was diagnosed, I understood more about chemotherapy and how the treatment works. It actually helped me get through my own treatment more easily, because I knew there is an end to it if you follow through. And I thought, if my daughter could be brave enough to go through it from the time she was five weeks old until she was six months old…then I have to fight it too, for my family.

During the hardest moments, we often dream about simpler, normal days. Now that you’re both on the other side, what are the everyday moments you treasure the most?
O: I spend time playing with my family! And sometimes, when I see my mummy and my daddy, I will hug them. I also play games, chitchat with them, and I love going for swimming classes too!

V: She really treasures family time. She’s always the sweetest at home, hugging and greeting everybody when she sees them in the morning, and she’s always the first to run up to us when we come home from work!

I also treasure our mealtimes — just sitting down with my family on a regular day for a nice, home-cooked meal. I live with my parents now, so my mum cooks almost every day and I’ll never get sick of her food. Coming home from work every day to see the kids — that is my daily joy.

You’ve mentioned that healing is rarely a straight line, and many people think that everything goes back to normal once treatment ends. From your experience, what does life after treatment truly look like for you?
V: Healing for me does not necessarily mean just going back to my daily life, but also understanding how I want to move forward with these scars and side effects. I want to acknowledge them — these side effects and scars on my body. Embracing them is part of my healing journey.

If you could aware each other a trophy today, what would it be for?
O: I would give her a trophy for being caring! And another for being kind, and for her love!

V: (to Olivia) For you, I would give you a trophy for being such a strong girl and a fighter! She has never once complained about being tired. Even with the AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) on her leg, she goes through everything, even more than regular kids. She’s really a fighter!

This is a feature for Fashion for Cancer 2026, spotlighting 7 cancer survivors and warriors. Founded by Ong Bee Yan, Fashion for Cancer is a charity fashion show aimed at raising funds for cancer research and financial aid. Support the cause on 26 August 2026 at The Westin Singapore—find out more here, and get your tickets here.