World Lymphoma Awareness Day was marked in Taipei yesterday by four groups to promote the importance of early detection.
Hematology Society of Taiwan secretary-general Gerald Chiou (
But it is not terminal, Chiou said, adding that with early treatment, the cure rate is up to 70 percent.
Chao Chi-hsiang (
"When I first found out I was 23 and had never thought about how I should face my life," he said.
"I am really unlucky. The 921 Earthquake happened when I entered college; SARS came when I graduated from college; I was hit by a drunk driver while waiting for a red light at an intersection; I was assigned to one of the toughest units when doing my military service; and when I was about to be discharged from the army, I was diagnosed with lymphoma," Chao said.
Like most people, he said he felt depressed when he was told the diagnosis. But he started to keep a journal, using illustrations, and deliberately made the journals funny to shield his family from sorrow.
"I chose to increase my immunity with a positive attitude and `kill' the cancer cells with my humor," he said, adding that his belief in himself helped him get through painful chemotherapy sessions.
After 12 chemotherapy sessions in eight months, his condition is now stable and he is able to work in a bank.
He has published his journals to encourage others battling cancer to be optimistic. He also serves as an advocate for lymphoma prevention and treatment.
Other groups taking part in yesterday's press conference were the Taiwan Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, the Chinese Oncology Society and the Hope Society for Cancer Care.
World Lymphoma Awareness Day was launched in 2004 by the Lymphoma Coalition. This year's theme is "Beacons of Hope."
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