Distinguished Guests
Teachers and Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. A very good afternoon to all of you. I am delighted to be here with you today to celebrate the achievements of the winners of the Live On Festival 2024.
2. My heartiest congratulations to all of you. Today is also a day of celebration for the people who have supported you – your family, teachers and friends, many of whom are present today. You have done them proud. There were more than 5,800 design and essay entries received for LOF 2024, which is more than a 10% increase in entries received last year.
3. The overarching theme for this year's Design Competition is "Making A Difference". Participants had the opportunity to consider how an individual's preference for organ donation can make a difference to individuals, families and society as a whole and how their actions can inspire others to journey alongside them. Likewise, for the Essay Competition, participants were given the opportunity to think of ways that they can make a difference such as brainstorming ideas to honour our organ donors. Together, everyone could make a resounding difference to the community.
4. What does it mean to make a difference to a person? What does it mean to his or her family and friends? The other question that one may also ask is, what does it take? These are some of the questions that you, as participants of LOF, might have asked yourself when working on your artworks or essays.
5. Some of you may have read of Isaac Loo's story in the news. Isaac was a 14-year-old student studying at Woodlands Secondary School and a member of the Boys Brigade. Three months ago, Isaac collapsed and was declared brain dead after three weeks in the hospital. It was a very challenging period for Isaac's family, especially for Mdm Soo – Isaac's mother. The pain of a mother losing a child is indescribable. Yet, despite her grief, Mdm Soo made a brave decision. She consented to donate Isaac's organs as she felt that this would be what Isaac would agree to. He was a kind child who was always helping others. In his passing, Isaac became the rainbow after the storm for 4 patients and their families. Isaac's story is a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation, where a noble act of donation can change the lives of many people.
6. So, what does it take to make a difference? For Isaac, it was his kind and helpful nature so that his mother knew that organ donation was what he would have wanted to do. I hope that everyone present here today could remember and live out the 3Es, to support organ donation.
7. The first E is "Engage". All the participants here had communicated their thoughts through essays and artworks. In fact, to create these fabulous entries, I'm sure that our students have gone through many rounds of research and brainstorming sessions. Some of you may have even thought about the personal legacy you want to create. With your artworks or essays, you can engage your peers and family members in meaningful and personal discussions about organ donation.
8. The second E is "Educate". Although "educate" is a term that we typically associate with teachers and school leaders, the responsibility of educating does not lie solely with them. In her artwork, Ong Zi Shan from Nan Chiau High School portrayed herself as an ambassador spreading awareness on organ donation within her community, in the hope of helping organ failure patients. Thank you Zi Shan for being willing to share your advocacy on organ donation through your artwork. Likewise, if you discover something that inspired you today, may it be the artworks, essays or even this event itself, tell someone about it and explain why it is so inspiring and what it has touched you. Each time you talk to someone about it, you are making a difference.
9. The last E is "Encourage". Wariness of the unknown causes people to hesitate and maybe even distance themselves from the topic of organ donation. In her essay, Cherise Yeong from Bukit Batok Secondary School proposed to build a Legacy Tree in her school to honour deceased organ donors and having students to put up handwritten messages of appreciation on leaf-shaped notes. The Legacy Tree would also indirectly serve as an invitation for students to find out more about organ donation at their own pace. I think that it is a good concept, Cherise! So, the challenge is on, for all of us to bring this forward and encourage others to have the courage to make a difference in their unique ways.
10. On this note, I am pleased to announce the launch of a new online voter's choice, which will allow everyone to have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entries, thereby encouraging further engagements and conversations. The online portal is already open, so do cast your votes before leaving.
11. To our teachers, thank you for yet again walking alongside our students in this competition. Your commitment has been invaluable in introducing our students to such important societal issues, challenging them to look beyond themselves, and guiding them to reflect on the differences that they could make. Thank you for embracing this opportunity to unleash the potential of those under your charge. This journey may not have been easy, but I believe it has been a fulfilling one.
12. To the proud parents who are here with us today, I ask that you be your child's first student. Ask your child about their thoughts and inspirations behind their artworks or essays. You might be surprised by their sharing and takeaways from this competition. To our students, you have made a difference just by your simple act of participating. Continue to carry forward and spread the lessons we have learnt and the values we have embraced.
13. In closing, I would like to thank the National Organ Transplant Unit for bringing this Festival to our schools every year. With all our collective efforts, I hope we can create a future where the gift of organ donation is widely understood, acknowledged, and celebrated in Singapore.
14. Congratulations once again to all the award winners of Live On Festival 2024. Thank you.