Conversations that Heal | By Dhia Qistina Binti Mutazlim
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| Illustration by @najaame_ |
On the 3rd of February 2026, Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA) was invited to Taylor’s University by AIESEC, a student-led non-profit organisation, to spread awareness on cancer, and the journey that comes along with coping and overcoming it. The event involved a storytelling circle consisting of two cancer survivors who work closely along with MAKNA, other MAKNA volunteers, and students from both Taylor’s College and University. The representatives from MAKNA shared their own journeys, sharing not only of the challenges they faced, but also the quiet lessons gathered along the path of diagnosis, whether from their own experience or through supporting loved ones in their fight against cancer.
According to Muhammad Firman, one of said representatives, the flower in MAKNA’s official logo is called Periwinkle, locally known as ‘Kemunting Cina’. Despite its beauty, the flower reflects the resilience and perseverance of the cancer fighters in their journey towards healing as the flower produces the two potent alkaloids used in chemotherapy. Hence, the organisation aims to reassure and empower those navigating the trials of cancer to reclaim their lives by advocating for the understanding of this disease to the public, offering a variety of assistance to lower-income groups, providing scholarships to young patients, and facilitating early cancer screening for the community. The survivors called upon to this event were Mrs. Theresa Liew and Puan Azni Ramlan, who shared their journeys, leaving a meaningful impact and inspiration towards the youth in attendance.
Cancer is Different for Everyone
In the beginning of the event, when the volunteers and the courageous survivors were being welcomed by the students, it was almost difficult to believe that they had faced such formidable battles due to the energy, warmth and radiance they carried around them. Witnessing their vibrant presences served as a reminder that resilience often shines in the most unexpected ways.
One of the most moving aspects of the storytelling circle was witnessing Mrs. Theresa and Puan. Azni as they opened their hearts to share their experiences. First and foremost, Mrs. Theresa acknowledged to the circle how various types of cancer affect people differently, and how individuals experience different struggles when facing the disease. For instance, she had been diagnosed with two different types of cancers, and during her trials with the disease, she did not feel any extreme pain in her specified area of cancer growth, but rather sustained harsh impacts from chemotherapy after every session. She recalled how the hours spent staring at the ceiling during her treatment was a silent routine that felt both lonely and endless. Yet, she moved on by reminding the circle that endurance was key to moving closer towards healing.
In a different view, Puan Azni expressed how her world was spinning the moment she was diagnosed. To her, it felt as though life had crumbled down into a point of no return, her emotions similar to other cancer patients alike. However, instead of her life irreversibly falling apart, Puan Azni expressed how she still found the same comforts in her daily life and routine, and explained how cancer does not mean one has to put their entire life on hold.
During the sharing session, a student in attendance bravely revealed that she was fighting cancer herself. In response to a question asked by Mrs. Theresa, the student explained how her diagnosis had come to be; initially, her body was filled with bruises, frequent headaches, and nightly fevers until she eventually received her cancer diagnosis. Her confession opened our eyes to a profound truth: somewhere among us, there is always someone who is fighting this life-changing battle. Mrs. Theresa emphasised to the circle that, “If you don’t get yourself checked, it is going to cost your life.”, denoting a crucial truth on the importance of early detection, and trusting your body’s instincts when it feels like something is not right.
The Role of Mental Health
After sharing their respective experiences, Mrs. Theresa brought up the significance of mental health and surrounding ourselves with positivity during the journey against cancer. The fight against cancer does not only happen between the cancer cells and our bodies, but also in the mental resilience it takes to combat the negative thoughts that come with the gruelling disease. She mentioned how her husband was a pillar of strength during her journey who not only stayed beside her, but managed to instil motivation in her to move forward.
To further emphasise her point on the importance of staying strong mentally while battling this disease, Mrs. Theresa also shared a touching story of how the husband of a patient had seeked MAKNA’s support regarding his wife’s colon cancer. Her story proves how cancer is not a battle one must fight alone, and emphasises on how loved ones can help patients immensely solely by being a strong and reliable support system to them throughout the way.
Following that, a student questioned, “Since everyone fears death, how does one cope with the scary realities of facing cancer?”. In response to that, Puan Azni answered that we should always be strong and maintain courage in adversity, reminding us that cancer does not signal the end of life, just a change in its course. Similarly, Mrs. Theresa replied that what helped her evade the depressing thoughts most was setting her mind on surviving. “I never think of dying. We all have our own goals in life, and during that time, mine was surviving,” she remarked.
Another exchange between the survivors and a student discussed how the stereotype of cancer automatically equating death is an old fashioned mindset that should not be carried forward into modern times. The student shared how medical technology has become far more advanced than it used to be, adding how diagnosis made by the doctor is no longer an end-all be-all. However, Mr. Firman, another MAKNA representative, also added that carrying an optimistic mindset when faced with cancer can be a challenge to lower income households who might face barriers in affording new and advanced treatment.
Survivor’s Advice
During the short break mediated by the AIESEC event coordinators, the large storytelling circle split into smaller circles, each group surrounding different survivors and MAKNA volunteers, facilitating more natural and easy-going conversations. Puan Azni personally advised the students to look after their health, especially in their daily diets: “Reduce your intake of processed food and leave behind the habit of eating food that has been exposed to your surroundings for a long time as it may allow for bacteria to multiply,”. While these factors might not directly cause cancer, she stated how prevention is always better than regret, and that taking care of one’s body in any avenue possible is always a good step to take in protecting one’s health. Furthermore, she also pointed out how regulating stress is a crucial step in cancer prevention, emphasising how, if left unchecked, high levels of cortisol from prolonged stress could effectively erode one's immune system.
Event Overview
All in all, AIESEC’s ‘Conversations that Heal’ event offered more than just stories; it illuminated the true and often overshadowed journeys of actual cancer survivors. Through the voices of Mrs. Theresa Liew and Puan Azni Ramlan along with the students in attendance, the event has successfully spread the notion of how cancer is not a marker of death, but rather a curable disease, instilling hope in cancer patients and loved ones of said patients alike. By listening to these stories, the attendees were reminded to care for their health, to appreciate the mundane moments in life, and to cherish their loved ones as if there is no tomorrow. Most importantly, the event shone light on the real-life experiences of resilient cancer survivors, bridging the gap between the fear of the unknown regarding the disease with enlightenment from those who have successfully beat it. As the event came to an end, the attendees’ perceptions of battling cancer were completely changed, the importance of understanding the disease and learning about all its facets brought to surface.
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