Courage comes in all sizes” – including that of a three-year-old Singaporean girl, Maeve Low, whose fight with cancer will soon grace the stage at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), in a musical that tells her inspiring story.
Brave Maeve: The Musical is the true story of Maeve, now six, who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, at the age of three.
Her mother, Ms Joanne Poon from Christ Methodist Church, wrote the story Brave Maeve to help her understand cancer treatment in a way that toddlers can – casting the cancer as a “poisonous stone” with “bad soldiers” and the chemotherapy treatments as “good soldiers”, the strongest of soldiers to protect our precious Maeve”.
Ms Poon, a drama teacher and full-time mother, had only intended the story to be for Maeve, but several divine appointments led to the story being illustrated, published as a book, translated into 13 languages, shipped to hospitals and cancer foundations worldwide, and produced as a musical – through the generosity of countless volunteers and sponsors.
She said: “All this was done because of the simple belief that each child undergoing cancer treatment should be able to have a book like that to accompany them on their journey.”
“Not only did God send me help; He sent me amazing, professional help!”
The story was first performed as a musical at Calvary Assembly of God in December 2012. Now, 2,400 more people will get to watch it at ACS(I). Sponsored by AXA Singapore, the proceeds will go to Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) and Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer, which Ms Poon said “were essential in making our journey with cancer an easier road to walk”.
Thanks to an anonymous donor, children currently undergoing cancer treatment will also be in the audience. Invite your friends and purchase tickets now!
Said Ms Poon: “Everyone knows someone with cancer, or had cancer, and I know that you will be blessed.”
INVITE * friends to watch this inspiring musical. Tickets can be purchased at Stash and Madam Milan. Email bravemaevemusical@ gmail.com for more information.
Tickets
Oct 4, Friday – 8pm ($48)
Oct 5, Saturday – 2:30pm ($25) and 8pm ($48)
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Lee Kong Chian Centre for Performing Arts 2, 121 Dover Road
• Stash (181 Orchard Road #B1-05, Orchard Central, 11 am to 10 pm daily)
• Madam Milan (5 Raffles Place #B1-47, Raffles Place MRT, 11 am to 8 pm weekdays, 11 am to 3 pm Saturdays)
• For bulk tickets, email bravemaevemusical@gmail.com
Grace Toh is the Assistant Editor of Methodist Message