Following up from the auction organised by Arsenal Singapore on 12th September 2009, the feisty team would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the club for successfully raising funds for Charmaine and for their club's community.
There was a good turn out for the auction held at their club and a sum of $2800 has been raised from the 2 donated collectibles. As such $1400 has been raised for our little Charmaine.
Thank you to: - Elvin (Donor of signed Arsenal shirt) - Al (Donor of signed Arsenal Singapore cap) - Jin Yan (Arsenal Singapore President and winning bidder for the cap) - Tim (Winning bidder for the signed shirt) - Kevin (VP of Arsenal Singapore for liaising and communicating with us)
"Our little Nuffnanger Charmaine was diagnosed with 4th stage neuroblastoma on 13th February 2009. She has 10 to 20% chance of living if she seeks local treatment. She has 40 to 50% chance of living if she seeks treatment in New York.
As of 5th July, Ourfeistyprincess team has managed to raise $500,000 SGD and they are preparing to send Charmaine to New York for the treatment.
Nuffnang is truly inspired by little Charmaine’s fighting spirit. Thus, Nuffnang have decided to join in and do our part as well. Nuffnang would like to invite all our fellow Nuffnangers to join us in providing our little feisty princess with the love and support she needs.
With 40,000 Nuffnangers in Singapore, we believe that together we can aid Chamaine in her fight and make a difference.
This fundraising campaign would run for a period of two months from 23rd July to 24th September 2009.
We would also like to highlight that this is a nonprofit campaign and every dollar donated will be given directly to Charmaine’s family."
Thank you Ming, Elaine and the whole nuffnang team for helping Charmaine to fight this battle.
Mid Autumn Festival is fast approaching. If you like mooncakes with a twist, you can consider ordering Hello Kitty mooncakes from one of our readers in support for Charmaine.
Here is an extract taken from the word doc they've sent us:
"Let us help her. We are making Hello Kitty mooncakes and 100% of all sales proceeds will be donated towards Charmaine’s medical fund. Each box at SGD$25 consists of 4 different flavours of Hello Kitty Snow Skin Mooncakes, namely, chocolate, pandan, strawberryand plain. All are filled with home made lotus paste and red bean paste. Collection will be from 27 July 2009 onwards. We will try to accommodate all requests, please let us know in advance."
Please contact: Hwee @ 96328234 for orders and collection.
One of our readers have created a gift card for ourfeistyprincess readers which gives them $30 to spend at their store.
Here is an extract taken from the email:
"All your readers need to do is visit our website http://www.whoogaboots.co.uk/ and enter the code OURFEISTYP into the cart. We ship to all countries and there are no conditions."
Love, Jolene ----
Edited to add: Fight The Monster Fund Raising-- Fun Jumpers Workshop & Fun Games Venue: Bishan Park Dog Run (small field) Date: Sat 11th July Time: 7 - 8pm Fees: $50 per dog & owner Additional dog @ $10 each Activities: 1) Fun Games eg: Doggie Race, Hurdle Race, Best Costume ( Prizes to be won ) 2) Fun Jumpers Workshop
Do register with your name, contact number & full payment. As this is for Charity, there will be no refund. Do register by 10th July Fri.
Email your registration & enquiries to: charitydogsports@yahoo.com.sg ----- Feisty Princess Fund Raising @ HEART Market
Venue: Sculpture Square
Date: 11 &12 July 2009 ( Sat & Sun)
Time: 10-7pm
Fees: Free Admission
Activities: There will be a booth specially set up for Feisty Princess Fund Raising.
* Mr Casey Chen had donated out 100 lovely badges @ only $2.00 each and 100% of the income goes to the fund.
* Dolly Deer had made more pretty accessories for you to bring home! 100% of the income goes to the fund too.
* Hot items from Dolly Deer, Button Earstud for only $3.90, every earstud sold, $1.00 goes to the fund. Don't miss out the good deals! you might not get good stuffs and great price after this!!
* 'Love Bank' will place at the booth, you can drop the feisty team a note over there! Cute papers will be provided.
* Live band to entertain you over there!
Email your enquiries to: littledollydeer@gmail.com
We have collected about $197K so far. Adding the amount under ledger balance, we would have about $200K. That amount doesn't include what HardwareZone has collected.
The members there have pooled together $24,557.00 as of 23 June (2253) and has hit the 10K cap for the 1-for-1 dollar donation by a mystery member.
We have not touched any of the funds yet and Charmaine's medical bills so far was settled using Cynthia's savings.
Featured on The NewPaper & Lian He Wan Bao Monday, 22 June 2009
The plight of Charmaine has moved former Singapore international Rafi Ali so much that he decided to do something about it. He got his Malaysia Cup kakis back together for a charity match.
With a couple of phone calls, he rounded up former greats including the Republic's favourite footballing son Fandi Ahmad, the dazzler "V" Sundramoorthy, hearthrob Abbas Saad and the "man with six lunds", Malek Awab, for a game against the media and celebrities this Sunday at the Tampines Stadium.
The electronic TNP for this article is not out yet. Meanwhile, here are some photos from TNP and Lian He Wan Bao.
[Click to enlarge]
The TNP
When I was still in primary school, I would sit in front of the TV with my whole family to watch these matches. Fandi Ahmad... Rafi Ali... Abbas Saad... Jang Jung... Nazri Nasir... Lim Tong Hai... These are names so familiar in the past. In my opinion, the Malaysian Cup was far more interesting than any EPL match. It could also be that I'm a rather nostalgic person and so the fond memories of the past always ride over the present.
For those of you who like me, used to clap and cheer and shout "REFEREE KAYU!" while watching our Dream Team play, you may like to support their cause in helping to raise funds.
Details of the match here:
This match is happening this Sunday, 28 June. Do show your support for our dream team, celebrity team and Charmaine & feisty team.
Tickets are priced at $10 only. [Updated: Tickets out for sale at Tampines Stadium general office at main entrance from Wed--Fri 10am--12noon and 2pm--6pm]
This event is organised by Rafi Ali, Rafi Ali Soccer School and their sponsors. All proceeds from the match would be used to pay for Charmaine's medical bills. Cynthia, Charmaine and the feisty team thank Rafi Ali, the school and their sponsors from the bottom of our hearts.
Oli Pettigrew who is playing in Team Celebrity has made a video to raise funds for Charmaine. Do take a look.
Love, Jolene
--- Edited to add:
There are also other fund raising activities happening. You can locate them on the right hand column of this blog.
We have received a lot of emails on Photoshoots.
1) SGPhotographyClub Date : 28/06/09 ( sunday ) Time from 10am - 6pm Location : No 34 , Arab Street #03-02 ( Mp Studio )
3) Hardwarezone Cash Donation $1-$1 with conditions apply. Please donate via HWZ if you are a member there. We are trying to hit the 10K cap for the $1-$1 donation. Updated! They have hit their 10k cap on 23 June at 2253!!! $0.00 left for dollar to dollar match. WHEE!!!
The blogshop community has also come forth to help to raise funds for us, as well as forums that hold online auction, buy-and-sell. Mouse over the right hand column and click those which interest you.
Please support them as much as u can!!!!
Till date, we have $180K. Thank you everyone!!!!!!
There have been numerous requests on the cash donation information and paypal details. Those who have been following this story would know that we have once put these information up, took it down etc due to certain issues.
After some discussion, we decided to put this up again, however, PLEASE PLEASE email us back on the details requested below. It is not for public mailing but for accountability and transparency should the authorities require it. (We also have a similar file for the expenses too)
Account Details: POSB savings a/c 249-28205-7. This is opened jointly under Cynthia Lim (Char's mommy) and Jolene Loh (Char's Godma) for Charmaine.
Internet Transfer: Provide your name/nick on the IB trf to ease the admin work at our end to match donors information.
Cheque: Cheque donations pose much higher probabilty of us not matching the donors as internet banking only reflects if it is QCDM without any account number. In this case, I will need the date of deposit, and amount of $.
Paypal: eateateat_82@hotmail.com This is under Godma's personal email because when we did this up, Char's email account wasnt created. Rest assure all funds inside would be for her. For Singaporeans, we strongly urge you not to donate via paypal as there would be admin charges. We would like 100% of the funds to go to Char instead.
PLEASE email us after you have transfered or deposited cheque with the following information:
1) Your full name or a first name at least 2) The name/ pseudonym/ initials used when doing internet banking 3) Date of transfer / Amount transferred 4) Whether you wish for your name to be (i)displayed in full, (ii)with some information blotted out or (iii)with your initials/ pseudonym should we do a public posting of the list of donors. 5) Whether you wish to be on our mailing list 6) Please tell us how you allow Cynthia to use the donation (a) Only to be used for Charmaine's medical expenses (b) Use the money for Charmaine's medical and personal expenses only (c) Use the money for Charmaine's medical and personal expenses, but if need be, you also allow her to use it to ease her family's expenses
======== Optional ======= 1) Contact number 2) Preferred email address 3) Home address 4) Degree of contact. Eg “I’m Cynthia’s friend from _____.”, “I came from _____ forum”, “A friend gave me this link…” etc.
PLEASE EMAIL US BACK ON THE DETAILS EVEN IF YOU LIKE TO BE ANONYMOUS. This is to facilitate audit and for transparency.
Please refrain from sending us message on facebook as we may miss these out. email gmail instead.
I thought over, probably a couple hundreds of times wondering how to write this entry. At the end of the day, I still have no idea what to write.
Truth is when I first saw the email sent by Dr Aung on the amount needed to bring Charmaine to New York for treatment, I was shocked. $350,000 is the upfront deposit. I weren’t sure what currency it was in. Sent Jolene and Charlene a text message, ending the message with “I would give up if it is in USD”.
And of course, the bad news never ends.
$350,000 USD.
Half a million Singapore dollars.
How would I ever be able to raise this amount of sum? How do I convince anyone that Charmaine’s life is worth half a million dollars? I don’t know how. I seriously don’t know how. So many times, I want to give up. I don’t know how to think. I don’t know what to think. I don’t want to think. I don’t dare to think.
A week has passed since I received the email and I know I have already procrastinated a week away and made no progress.
I am brought up to think rationally and weigh my decisions against benefits and cost. Rationally speaking, I know fully well that half a million dollars can be better spent on saving thousands of malnourished kids in Africa than on Charmaine who only has a 40-50% chance of survival even with the antibody in New York.
But Charmaine is my daughter. No amount of money can justify how important she is to me. And Jase. Despite Jase’s young age and maturity, I know fully well that he loves his mei mei just as much as I do.
I would do just about anything to save her. I thought about selling my kidney, being a surrogate mom. They may sound stupid and crazy but my conscience feels so much better with me earning that USD $350,000 because I cannot think of any rational reason to convince you to help me save Charmaine.
I really thought of giving up. Its so much more easier and I am so tired.
I don’t want to think about anything anymore. Its easier just remembering the next doctor’s appointment, the next time for medication, the next time to pay the bills and just things I can do without thinking…
I even avoided Jolene and Charlene for a week because I have no answer for them. Their suggestion to go public and seek for help. My permission to allow them to publicise the materials.
Even as I am typing right now, I don’t exactly know what am I doing. I don’t know what I have decided. I don’t know the consequences of me typing this.
The only thing I know for sure is that should anything happen to Charmaine, I would never be able to forgive myself for not trying to fight for Charmaine when all she has to help her is me.
This is the very reason why I am typing this.
Dear friends, please help Jase and me to save Charmaine.
A piece of good news Cyn’s sms on the afternoon of 18th March 2009: "Doc just called to tell me a piece of somewhat good news. In fact, she said its good news. That the cancer cells in her bone marrow are very few. prob less than 10%! =) I finally see some sunshine."
Everyone who knew of this “saw the sunshine” too.
2nd Chemo for Charmaine has been postponed to Monday, 23 March 2009 Charmaine is unable to undergo her 2nd chemo on the 19th as her neuro-something (Sorry I dunno the exact name) neutrophil count is below 1.
Psychological health of sibling of cancer patients While showing care and concern for Charmaine who is suffering physically, please do not neglect Jase, the healthy child who is suffering psychologically.
Jase has always been a very sweet boy despite being a cheeky little devil at times. He has always been listening to me and used to be very obedient. However, I could see a huge change in Jase’s behaviour during these few weeks. He craved so much for attention that he had become a changed boy.
Children at this age is egocentric. The whole world revolves around them. When it’s no longer a “me world”, they get upset and they may hold a grudge against the person who caused the change in status quo.
Jase may have been a good kor kor but despite feeling concern for his sickly mei mei, he would feel jealous,angry and upset too. Presents and toys flood in for the mei mei. Mummy stay at the hospital with mei mei. Everybody focus on mei mei. Everybody’s conversations revolve around mei mei.
Is it any wonder that Jase would feel jealous of mei mei?
I remember the story which the social worker at KK told us about sibling jealousy. There was a 2-year-old child fighting for his life while undergoing chemo. Finally, he passed away. Do you know what his 5-year-old brother told his mummy?
“I’m very happy di di die. Then you don’t have to go to the hospital anymore.”
We really felt very angry at the boy’s words. Then the social worker continued saying that this was coming from a 5-year-old child who isn’t mature enough to understand the severity of his words. He isn’t mature enough to control his egocentric thoughts. We should not even blame him for feeling this way.
Cynthia has been doing her best to consider Jase’s feelings and to shower as much care and attention to him as to Charmaine. It is really very tough for a single mum/ divorcee to do this.
To all in contact with the kids, do show your attention to both Charmaine and Jase as much as possible. =D
Closure of POSB savings a/c 109-76705-0 Cynthia and I closed the above account on the evening of Tuesday, 17th March 2009. Should any of you make any transfer of funds from the evening of 17th March, your transfer would be deemed unsuccessful.
As written in an earlier post, we are in the process of acquiring information on whether this fundraising is approved by authorities in Singapore as it concerns third parties’ contribution.
We were initially seeking help from first degree of contacts. Hence, to make sure we abide by the rules, Cynthia has opened a new a/c which would not be revealed publicly.
Please do not hesitate to drop us an email should you need to clarify on certain issues.
To facilitate our process of collating our funds with a list of donors, please drop us an email after you have made a contribution.
For fund transfer to the POSB account
In the email, please include the following information: 1) Your full name or a first name at least 2) The name/ pseudonym/ initials used when doing internet banking 3) Date of transfer 4) Whether you wish for your name to be (i)displayed in full, (ii)with some information blotted out or (iii)with your initials/ pseudonym should we do a public posting of the list of donors. 5) Whether you wish to be on our mailing list
Optional: 1) Contact number 2) Preferred email address 3) Home address 4) Degree of contact. Eg “I’m Cynthia’s friend from ……….”, “I came from ??? forum”, “A friend gave me this link…” etc.
Please rest assured that the information you provide would be for our personal record purpose.
For fund transfer to Paypal
An email confirmation is not necessary as the pending payments emails would automatically be sent to us. However, we would appreciate if you could send us an email to address point 4) and 5).
For fund contribution by cheques
Please drop us an email before writing your cheques.
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Waiting for MCYS to call me back
I’m still awaiting a reply from MCYS on whether this fundraising is approved by authorities in Singapore since it concerns third parties’ contribution. Till I get the green light from MCYS, please refrain from including the a/c number on your blog and website if you are not a direct contact of us.
Thank you very much.
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Quick updates on our feisty little Charmaine
Those who visited her would know that despite having undergone her first chemo, she still behaves in her usual lovable and cheeky self, flashing her endearing smile every now and then. How not to love this little darling?
Her hair has started to fall a little but cropping it shorter does the trick. Other than her extreme loss of weight and the slowing down of movements (as she is in pain everywhere), she looks and behaves every bit like the Charmaine we've always known. =)
May update more with photos but then again maybe not. Will ponder more about the adding of photos part.
I just learnt from Cynthia that someone has been asking for donations around Buangkok MRT station with a photo of a little girl who looks like Charmaine.
We can't be sure if the girl in the photo is really Charmaine.
Cynthia and myself did not ask anyone to do this.
If any of you have similar encounters, please check if the said cancer victim in the photo is Charmaine. Do ask the person for the organisation he/she represents as well as the relevant IDs and documents.
FYI:
A permit is required to raise funds on the street [Source:https://www.charities.gov.sg/charity/index.do]
Should you witness similar happenings around other MRT stations or other public area, please inform us.
Thank you.
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Added on 8th March
We found out from a source that the girl in the photo isn't Charmaine.
I apologise if we have caused any false alarm. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
