From a scar, a bracelet was made.
No one enters the Resilient Women's Club with a healthy body or an intact spirit. All of them, women who once held a cancer diagnosis in their hands, have endured countless sleepless nights, exhausting chemotherapy sessions, and surgeries to remove parts of their bodies that have been with them for life. But then they meet, not to complain, but to pick up the pieces of faith, the glimmer of hope, and tell themselves: "We're still here!"
One of the first people to "lay the foundation" for this special home was Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Thuong, a small but strong-willed woman. In 2016, at the prime of her life, she unexpectedly discovered she had breast cancer. Those were days filled with tears and fear. But it was also at that time that a fellow patient introduced her to the nationwide network of resilient women. From that connection, she and five other women in similar situations founded the Quang Binh Resilient Women's Club, as a way for them to hold hands and move forward together. At that time, Ms. Thuong did not hold the role of club leader. It was only in 2019, when the first founder, Ms. Ngo Thi Kim Dung, passed away due to a relapse of her illness, that she stepped up to take on the responsibility of connecting, leading, and preserving the "flame of resilience" for the club.
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The club started with just six women. They chatted after each treatment, texted each other to check in, and gradually became as close as family. From a small group, the club expanded throughout the province, connecting hundreds of members from many different localities. They met not to complain about their illnesses, but to share stories about new dishes they learned to cook, new meditation exercises they practiced, and ways to cope with fatigue after chemotherapy. They hugged each other when someone relapsed, offered words of encouragement when a woman lost her hair due to chemotherapy, and sat silently together when fear overwhelmed them. They didn't need many words, because empathy was enough to "heal" both physical and emotional wounds.
Spreading a positive lifestyle.
The Quang Binh Resilient Women's Club is not only a place where women suffering from serious illnesses meet and share their experiences, but also a well-organized, meaningful, and humane organization. Every year in March, to commemorate the founding anniversary of the National Resilient Women's Network, the club organizes meetings and networking events. In October, known as "Pink October," Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the club organizes practical activities such as donating gifts to patients undergoing treatment at the Oncology Department of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Dong Hoi. In addition, the club holds regular meetings to exchange information on the latest treatment methods, update medical knowledge from experts, and provide reassurance to women who are uncertain about their treatment decisions. The members always proactively visit and encourage those who have recently been diagnosed with the disease or are experiencing a relapse, because they understand that sometimes just a hand to hold 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 challenging stages of treatment. Some have lived healthy lives for nearly 10 years after treatment, like Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh (Dong Hoi City), and some even still regularly participate in the Club's activities despite having gone through their cancer journey 21 years ago, like Ms. Truong Thi Luy (Le Thuy). They are living proof of the message that the Club always conveys: "Cancer is not the end. It's a comma, a pause to live a more meaningful life."
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Although many members are still undergoing treatment, receiving medication, and having regular check-ups, they choose to live optimistically, beautifully, and usefully. The club has become a place where members can rediscover themselves and share with the community. Each month, members donate to visit seriously ill patients and support other cancer patients who need money for treatment and medication. It is these acts of helping others that make them feel useful, that they are still a part of life—not just patients, but people with value.
“Perhaps no one in the club dares to say they have completely conquered the disease. But we have conquered something even more important: fear. Some who were once on the verge of giving up are now leading charitable trips. One woman who used to hide herself away at home is now bravely sharing her story on stage to inspire those who have just been diagnosed with the disease. We live, work, raise 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,” shared Hoai Thuong.
In their journey 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, and walk through the darkness, igniting hope for themselves and others. From individual suffering, they created shared strength. And then, in every smile, every hug, every grateful glance of new patients, they spread a simple yet profound message: When women love each other, they can create miracles!
| The Quang Binh Resilient Women's Club was established in June 2016 and is a member of the national network of Resilient Women's Clubs. From just 6 members, the club now has over 200 members from communes, wards, and towns throughout the province. The club's activities are funded entirely by member contributions. |
Peace of Mind
Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nhung-nu-chien-binh-kien-cuong-2226736/
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