'Warrior' Tran Dong - who recovered from cancer battle

Trần Đồng - Ảnh 1. — Cancer "warrior" Tran Dong in an interview with Tuoi Tre newspaper in 2019 - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

From the night of October 28 to the morning of October 29, the news of "warrior" Tran Dong's (real name Dong Thi Luyen, from Hai Phong ) passing shocked the cancer patient community nationwide, as well as the cancer treatment community.

"It hurts, it hurts so much for the people left behind. As for you - the wonderful leader - your pain is really gone. Go to your new home and be happy with the steadfast cancer warriors in eternity" - a member reported on the fanpage of the 'Fight against Cancer' Club with nearly 12,000 members.

Thousands of condolences were sent. In those messages, Ms. Thuy Nguyen told about the "warrior" Tran Dong more than 10 years ago, when she was accompanying her sister who had malignant colon cancer.

"Reading the information shared in this group of warriors, I see you as a bright torch to inspire everyone. I am very happy for you and very pleased with your extraordinary willpower.

"Now I have to say goodbye to you. Even though we have never met, my tears just keep flowing uncontrollably," Ms. Thuy Nguyen said sadly.

"Farewell, you, the leader and resilient warrior. You have given strength to many families and cancer patients in the community," said Ngoc Mai emotionally.

Trần Đồng - Ảnh 2. — In 2019, the story of Ms. Tran Dong's journey to fight and overcome cancer appeared in Tuoi Tre newspaper. At that time, she said: "It is a war, in which, whether winning or losing, it leaves behind serious consequences."

From the time he discovered he had cancer until his "resurrection" and passing away today, Tran Dong was truly a "warrior" in his willpower to overcome life's adversities.

She is also a symbol of the spirit of not giving up in the face of illness and a great source of spiritual encouragement, helping thousands of cancer patients to confidently face and fight cancer strongly.

Dr. Lam Duc Hoang - Head of Radiation Department 3 (specializing in head, neck, and throat cancer - Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital) - shared that in 2014, he received cancer treatment for Ms. Tran Dong. In the 4 stages of nasopharyngeal cancer, Ms. Dong was in stage III when a fairly large tumor formed.

"It must be admitted that Ms. Dong is a special cancer patient, a woman with a "steel" spirit to be able to choose and overcome 42 extremely painful simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions. This is a "heavyweight" regimen, few patients dare to choose it and if they choose, few will go all the way" - Dr. Hoang shared with Tuoi Tre 6 years ago.

Today, when receiving the news of the passing of the "special patient", Dr. Hoang said that Ms. Dong fought until the last minute. After more than 10 years, her cancer recently relapsed and metastasized to many organs, but she still calmly accepted it.

"Despite her poor health, strangely she remained young and cheerful until the very end" - Dr. Hoang shared.

And that's Tran Dong, no matter what comes crashing down on her head, she's still happy and advises others to be optimistic and happy. Just like how she accepted and overcame this fatal disease 10 years ago.

The writer of the letter to the Minister of Health

In the cancer community nationwide, the name Tran Dong has long been familiar. Not only is she an example of determination to fight cancer to the end, she is also a support and companion to support patients mentally throughout their treatment journey. Thanks to the "Tran Dong spirit", many cancer patients have been revived from death sentences.

Concerned about the fate of patients, especially cancer patients, in August 2017, on behalf of thousands of patients, she wrote a letter to the then Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien to express her indignation at the fact that VN Pharma Joint Stock Company was said to be importing and distributing fake cancer drugs.

"Every day, I have to witness one member after another in the club leave without being able to do anything for them. The hugs of encouragement, the handshakes and wiping away the tears that I tried to hold back still flowed, after the departure there was the pain left behind.

Please protect us, show us the fairness of the scales of justice, the right to hope and to live. Give us the belief we always encourage each other: Cancer is not the end" - excerpt from the letter.