My journey began with a set of thoughtful guiding questions on childhood cancer, which encouraged me to explore, reflect, and understand. Through reading books at the office and online publications, I delved into the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual (BPSS) dimensions of childhood cancer, as well as its profound impact not only on young survivors but also on their families.

This foundation helped me contribute meaningfully to programme development, particularly for CCF’s Education Awards. I worked on activity booklets and presentation slides, learning how to align each element with the programme’s goals. It was through this process that I learned one of the most important lessons from school in a real-world setting: the value of intentionality. Every detail in a programme must serve a purpose. Every activity must meet a need.

Despite facing unexpected changes and challenges, I learnt to be more resilient, open to suggestions, and increased my threshold for less positive feedback. 

None of this growth would have been possible without the mentorship I received. My mentor at CCF guided with both structure and heart – asking the right questions, offering insight, and creating space for reflection. Her support helped me connect theory with practice and reminded me that the work we do truly matters.

Stepping into the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) was a significant learning experience.