A BURSARY TO COMMEMORATE A FALLEN CLASSMATE
Christine Chong Hui Xian, a third-year medical student, passed away from brain lymphoma in 2009.
But to this day, the legacy of her indomitable spirit and determination continues to impact the lives of medical students at NUS Medicine, through a bursary named after her that provides financial aid for needy students.
The NUS Medical Society Christine Chong Hui Xian Bursary was established by her classmates in the Class of 2012 as a tribute to a girl who was courageous, possessed an unflagging positive spirit, and who strove to complete her microbiology examinations despite the gravity of her illness. The establishment of the bursary was important to Christine’s classmates, who envisioned that its recipients would strive to be the kind of doctor she would have been. It was also made possible with additional support from external organisations like the Goh Keng Swee Foundation and the Lee Foundation.
Dr Sin Yong, who was Christine’s classmate, staged a magic show in 2012 to raise funds for the bursary and will hold another show, entitled “Imagine” in September as a tribute to all donors.
“Imagine aims to encourage students as well as working healthcare professionals to hold on to the same goodness that Christine held
on to. We want them to develop the same kind of bravery, boldness and perseverance so that wherever we are, we will strive for kindness to change and shape the world together,” he said.
Natalie Lai, one of the bursary’s recipients who is currently in Phase 2, believes that the bursary award has done exactly that for her. “The bursary was a great relief for me and has eased my financial concerns, allowing me to fully concentrate on my studies. It would be a blessing to be able to pass on this spirit of giving in the future.”
The School believes that one in four of our medical students will need financial aid within the next few years. The Christine Chong bursary has helped 10 medical students to date, and with the support of more donors will be able to help many more.
Dr Sin Yong’s “Imagine” promises a showcase of dazzling magic effects and visual illusions and will be staged on 16 and 17 September, from 7pm to 9pm at the NUHS auditorium. Admission is free.
Readers are invited to attend the show by registering their interest through this link:http://bit.ly/1tzAN2O
Please support a needy medical student by making a gift to the ‘NUS Medical Society Christine Chong Hui Xian Bursary’ through our online donation portal.
Interested to establish a class bursary or a bursary in honour of a loved one?
Contact us at giving_med@nus.edu.sg or call us at 6772 3737.