Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: youth-led charity supports young cancer patients
Timothy Chan founded Youth Cancer Hong Kong so young patients can speak openly with others who understand what diagnosis and treatment mean at their age
Timothy Chan Chi-fung was 19 when a testicular tumour sent him into a Hong Kong hospital system largely designed for children or much older adults.
Neither door quite fitted. His experience eventually led him to found Youth Cancer Hong Kong, a contribution that has earned him a place as a finalist in the community category of this year’s Spirit of Hong Kong Awards.
The awards, co-organised by Sino Group and the South China Morning Post, were launched in 2013 to recognise individuals and organisations whose work contributes to Hong Kong and its communities.
Chan was diagnosed in 2019 with a mixed germ cell tumour of the testis. He underwent surgery within two weeks of his diagnosis, followed by two cycles of chemotherapy. He lost his hair and his studies at university were interrupted. But he eventually recovered.
