interview

the daffodil is a symbol of hope adopted by the singapore cancer soc. also by the canadian cancer soc. 

it hopes for a cancer-free future.

on thurs, i had a call from cindy of the cancer soc, asking if i would agree to an interview by the new paper. 

they wanted cancer survivors' views on whether celebrities' purpose of coming forward with their cancer was altruistic or for personal gains.

don't worry, no name, no photo, just your views.

if that's the case, why not a phone interview, i asked.

since the reporter wanted to interview a group of cancer survivors at the cancer soc office, i was afraid i might end up being more of a hindrance and an embarrassment than anything else. after all, i can't trust my tear glands which have a life of their own.

so, i had my first interview with a real newspaper reporter-over the phone.

no, it wasn't daunting. no, i didn't cry. though i could have.  from frustration.

 honestly, i wasn't impressed. 

you would have thought that a reporter would have his questions ready and all, whether it's a face-to-face or phone interview.

but this fellow, he hemmed and hawed so much i almost wondered aloud if he knew what he was doing.

and his questions, obviously not given any previous thoughts, were painfully convoluted. 

or repetitive.

it's as if he didn't know how to zero in on the topic. 

in the end, i must have said something he thought he could use cos he asked if he could use my name to quote me.

i said ok.

back to my views on the topic: 

to me, any form of publicity, whether from celebs or layman, serves as a form of public education about cancer.

society needs to know that contracting cancer is not a death sentence, and that the earlier they seek treatment, the better.

such publicity also heightens the need for regular checks and self-examination.

and if these celebs were actually pushing for self-publicity, well, good for them if it works. i don't care.

for me, it's the bigger picture that counts. 

actually made this wish on mothers' day this year.

wei bought me three balloons and asked me to write down three wishes. 

balloons were later released.

not environmentally friendly at all, i am afraid.