Music is this cancer survivor’s way to give back

Patient volunteer Kah Wai regularly plays the piano for patients in the NCCS clinic waiting areas.

“It's the little things that we share. The love and joy that's in the air.”

These familiar lines from Singapore’s National Day Parade’s (NDP) theme song in 1991 have always resonated with Ms Fong Kah Wai, 50. But, after going through her cancer journey, the lyrics took on a deeper meaning. Those verses were a reminder that even the smallest gesture can lift someone's spirit. For Kah Wai, a breast and ovarian cancer survivor and mother of two teenage boys, the "little thing" she chooses to share is music. 

More than just words

Kah Wai is a patient volunteer with Melodies@NCCS, a programme where skilled pianists play live music to create a soothing atmosphere for patients and caregivers in the clinic waiting areas. Every week, she fills the clinic space on levels 10 and 11 with uplifting, familiar melodies on the piano. During each session, she typically plays around 18 songs.

“I have been regularly volunteering since October 2024. It's my way of giving back as it’s a gift that comforts others who are going through a similar experience to mine,” she shared. 

Kah Wai started taking piano lessons when she was in primary school but music slipped into the background when life got busy. The piano she once played in her youth sat untouched. Years later, wanting to pass on her love of music to her children, she enrolled them for piano lessons when they were around six years old, bringing the beloved instrument back into her life.

In 2011, when Kah Wai was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in 2024 when she had a subsequent diagnosis of ovarian cancer, playing the piano was the last thing on her mind. Following these two diagnoses, she navigated the exhausting cycles of treatment and the physical toll of side effects.

She also carried the weight of wanting to stay strong for her family whilst managing her own fears about the future. However, music remained close to her heart.

During her recovery, Kah Wai found herself drawn back to the piano. Listening and playing it was calming and comforting. 

"When I was playing the piano, time seemed to pass more quickly. It also helped to lift my mood when I learned new or played familiar, cheerful pieces. Music gave me a positive focus and gently distracted me from negative thoughts," recalled Kah Wai. “When it comes to playing the piano, my favourite genres are classical music, pop and Disney songs, as I enjoy the balance between expressive melodies, familiar tunes and music that brings a sense of warmth and joy.” 

Finding the right note 

For Kah Wai, music serves many purposes. It calms the mind, lifts festive atmospheres and creates connections. After completing treatment, Kah Wai wanted to do something to comfort fellow cancer patients.  When she learned about the Melodies@NCCS, she felt drawn to find out more.

"I wasn't sure if I was good enough to perform live," she laughed. "But the programme manager told me not to worry, provided a comprehensive orientation, and even went through the list of songs patients would like. She also was there during my first session to provide moral support and advice.

"It was at her first playing session that Kah Wai found the inspiration and courage to play for a crowd."

The NDP’s theme song lyrics came back to me: It's the little things that we do…"

The live music lifts the atmosphere in the clinics for patients as they wait for their medical appointments at NCCS.

"Just knowing the music has helped someone, makes this effort meaningful,” smiled Kah Wai. 

The perfect playlist

Kah Wai hopes her story encourages others to volunteer in small but meaningful ways.

Kah Wai carefully curates her repertoire of songs, going through piano resources and music sheets at the National Library to find suitable, uplifting songs. She creates specially themed playlists for festivals and occasions throughout the year, such as ‘Singapore Town’ for National Day, ‘月亮代表我的心’ (The Moon Represents My Heart) for Mid-Autumn Festival and ‘Santa Claus is comin’ to Town’ for Christmas. She practises for hours at home to prepare and improvises the score to make it livelier for the patients.  

She hopes her story encourages other patients and survivors as well as family members and members of the public, to find small ways to give back and volunteer. 

"We often think we need to do something big. But sometimes, the simplest gestures can help the most."