At the Dreams Stage Show by the Cancer Warrior Queens on Aug 17, survivors of breast, ovarian, colon and other cancers donned designer pieces and walked with their heads held high.

The show was backed by over 100 volunteers, designers and sponsors, who provided dresses, shoes, makeup and hairstyling services for the participants.

Among the most moving stories was that of Kamini Manikam, a classical Indian dancer in her late 30s whose cancer journey began unexpectedly after a fall in the bathroom in late 2020.

What she assumed was a back injury turned out to be a 10cm cyst that was later confirmed as stage-1 ovarian cancer.

“I’ve always been healthy, I ate well, I exercised. So when the diagnosis came, I couldn’t believe it. I kept asking, ‘Why me?’

“The most painful part was knowing I would lose my long hair since it was part of my identity as a dancer,” she shared.

Kamini underwent 18 cycles of chemotherapy over several months – a gruelling process that left her weak.

“It wasn’t just physical strength I had to rebuild, it was mental strength. But I kept going, I fought hard and, just six months after chemo, I pushed myself back into dancing; that’s when I realised strength comes from inside,” she said.

Four years later, she would be walking the runway with a proud smile and beautiful flowing hair, her ankles adorned with salangai – traditional anklets symbolic of Indian classical dance.

“This event is the first time I’ve ever shared my cancer story publicly; not even my wider family knew. But I want people to know cancer is not a death sentence, it’s just a chapter and you can still write the ending,” she said.

Another showstopper was Siti Zainab Zaini, a single mother of two who was diagnosed with early-stage cancer in 2018 after a routine annual checkup on her birthday

“When the doctor told me, the only thing that came to mind was my children and my elderly father,” she recalled. “I couldn’t afford to break.”

Determined to get better, she diligently followed her treatment plan, trusting that recovery was possible.

“I didn’t have the luxury to be sad. My mother even smacked me when I cried. She said, ‘There’s medicine, go take it!’” she added with a laugh.

Once a workaholic who stayed in the office until 2am, she now prioritises her health, gets enough sleep, eats mindfully, and makes time for joy, including weekly “girls’ time” with her friends, as advised by her oncologist.

“Cancer didn’t kill me – it woke me up. I used to work for others. Now I live for myself, ” she concluded.