From a scar, form a bracelet
No one enters the Resilient Women’s Club with a healthy body or an intact spirit. All of them, the women who have held a cancer diagnosis in their hands, have gone through countless sleepless nights, exhausting chemotherapy sessions, and surgeries to remove a part of their body that will be with them for the rest of their lives. But then they meet, not to talk, but to pick up each piece of faith, each ray of hope, and tell themselves: “I am still here!”
One of the first people to “lay the foundation” for that special house was Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Thuong, a small but determined woman. In 2016, when she was at the age of full vitality, she suddenly discovered that she had breast cancer. Those were days filled with tears and fear. But at that time, a friend with the same illness brought her to the Resilient Women network across the country. From that connection, she and 5 other women in the same situation founded the Quang Binh Resilient Women Club, as a way for them to hold hands to move forward. At that time, Ms. Thuong did not hold the role of chairperson. It was not until 2019, when the first founder, Ms. Ngo Thi Kim Dung, passed away due to a relapse, that she stood up to take on the responsibility of connecting, leading and preserving the “resilient flame” for the Club.
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The club started with only 6 sisters. They chatted after each treatment, texted each other, and gradually became as close as family. From a small group, the club spread throughout the province, connecting hundreds of members from many different localities. They met not to complain about their illnesses, but to tell each other about new dishes they knew how to cook, new meditation exercises they had learned, ways to relieve fatigue after chemotherapy... They hugged each other when someone relapsed, sent words of encouragement when a sister lost her hair due to chemotherapy, and sat silently together when fear struck. They did not need to say much, because empathy was enough to "heal" physical and mental wounds.
Spread positive lifestyle
The Quang Binh Resilient Women's Club is not only a place for women who are unfortunately suffering from serious illnesses to meet and share, but also a place to organize systematic, meaningful and humane activities. Every year, in March, on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the National Resilient Women's Network, the Club organizes meetings and networking activities. In October, the month to raise awareness of breast cancer, known as "Pink October", is the most special occasion of the year, the Club often organizes practical activities, such as: Giving gifts to patients being treated at the Oncology Department, Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital Dong Hoi. In addition, the Club also organizes regular meetings to exchange information on the latest treatment methods, update medical knowledge from experts, and give more confidence to women who are confused about the decision to undergo treatment. Members always take the initiative to visit and encourage those who have just discovered the disease or are having a relapse, because they understand that sometimes just a handshake is enough to pull someone back from the brink of giving up.
In particular, thanks to the support of the Club, many women have overcome the most difficult treatment period. Some have been healthy for nearly 10 years after treatment, such as Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh (Dong Hoi City), and some are still regularly participating in the Club despite having been through a 21-year cancer journey, such as Ms. Truong Thi Luy (Le Thuy). They are living proof of the message that the Club always conveys: "Cancer is not the end. It is a comma, a pause to continue living a more meaningful life."
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Although many members are still in the treatment phase, still receiving medication, and having regular check-ups, they choose to live optimistically, beautifully, and usefully. The club has become a place for members to find themselves again, to share with the community. Every month, members donate to visit seriously ill people, to support other cancer cases who need money for treatment and medicine. It is these times of joining hands for others that make them feel useful, that they are still a part of life - not just a patient, but a person with value.
“Perhaps, no one in the club dares to say that they have completely defeated the disease. But we have conquered something even more important, which is fear. Some people who once wanted to give up are now leading charity trips. Some women who used to hide themselves at home are now boldly telling their stories on stage to give more confidence to those who have just discovered the disease. We live, work, take care of our children, cook, practice yoga, love and spread kindness. We live as if tomorrow is still far away and today is the most precious gift,” Ms. Hoai Thuong shared.
In their journey of facing illness, the women of the Quang Binh Resilient Women's Club did not choose to give up. They chose to stand up, hold hands to go through the darkness, and light up hope for themselves and others. From their own trauma, they created a common strength. And then, in every smile, every hug, every grateful look of the new patients, they spread a simple yet profound message: When women love each other, they can create miracles!
| The Quang Binh Resilient Women Club was established in June 2016 and is a member of the national network of Resilient Women Clubs. From only 6 members, the club now has more than 200 members from communes, wards and towns in the province. The funds to maintain the club's activities are all contributed by the members. |
Peace of Mind
Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nhung-nu-chien-binh-kien-cuong-2226736/
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