How His Son’s Cancer Survival Made This Dad an Ambassador of Hope

If you’re a parent, you know how life can pivot in a heartbeat. One day, you’re marking the weeks until your first child arrives; the next, you’re thrown into a storm you never imagined, holding their tiny hand as the world shifts beneath you. For Tze Sien Wu—known to many simply as Mr. Wu—that storm hit in 2013, when his eldest son, Wilson, was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma at just six years old. It would mark the beginning of a journey of cancer survival, testing the limits of hope, courage, and perseverance.

It was the kind of moment that splits life into “before” and “after,” a sudden reckoning that tests everything you thought you knew about courage, hope, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Mr. Wu’s story has since become an inspiring example of cancer survival, showing how resilience and love can transform even the hardest trials.

Yet, long before cancer ever touched his family, Mr. Wu had been shaving his head for Hair for Hope. What began in 2008 as a simple gesture of solidarity would become a lifeline, a ritual that carried him through unimaginable pain and eventually shaped him into something far larger than himself—an ambassador of resilience, love, and community. His dedication continues to inspire countless others, a living testament to the power of cancer survival in action.

Now, as Hair for Hope 2025 has drawn to a close, Mr. Wu’s journey lingers in the mind. A reminder that behind every bald head lies a story of courage and a quiet, insistent call for all of us to rise to the occasion.

A Leap of Faith Before Fatherhood

Back in 2008, Mr. Wu was simply a dad-to-be. His wife was pregnant with Wilson, and like any new parent, he was thinking a lot about what it meant to raise a child. When he first heard about Hair for Hope, he was struck by its mission: to raise funds for children with cancer, and at the same time, show them it’s okay to lose their hair during chemotherapy.

Source: Mr. Wu

“So I thought that, now, as I’m going to be a parent myself, I should do something about it—help, relieve, maybe, and also raise some funds at the same time,” Mr. Wu recalls. “By the act of shaving their heads, they could tell these children who are going through chemotherapy that it’s okay to be bald. Because here, auntie and uncle, we’re bald too—we look the same as you.”

Source: Mr. Wu

What felt like a small gesture became a tradition. Every year, Mr. Wu sat in that chair, shaved his head, and raised funds—not knowing that his future self would need the very same support.

When Cancer Hit Home

Source: Mr. Wu

Five years later, the unthinkable happened. Wilson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Overnight, Mr. Wu’s family was thrust into hospital wards, treatment schedules, and a new vocabulary of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

Yet amidst the chaos, there was a lifeline. The Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) stepped in—not just with financial help, but with the kind of human touches parents never forget.

Source: Mr. Wu

“They have a playroom funded by the foundation. In that playroom, you’ll find storybooks and other things to entertain the children. You can see that the whole setup is really catered to inpatient children. There are even books that explain childhood cancer in a way that is more child-friendly,” Mr. Wu remembers.

“They organized shoulder massages on certain days where caregivers could sign up. Caregiving can take a toll on the parents themselves, so having these small breaks really helps.”

And it worked. After a year and a half of grueling treatment, Wilson entered remission. Today, he’s thriving, studying in junior college, and spending weekends rock climbing.

“His build is a little smaller than the rest of the kids his age, but that’s just part and parcel of going through chemotherapy at a young age,” Mr. Wu admits. “However, he doesn’t let that deter him from being fully involved in some of the more active sports out there.”

Becoming an Ambassador for Childhood Cancer

Source: Mr. Wu

For many families, remission marks the end of the story. But for Mr. Wu, it was only the beginning. Inspired both by his son’s cancer survival and by the memory of children who never made it, he chose to go further with Hair for Hope.

He no longer saw shaving his head as enough. Instead, he began organizing satellite events in his community, rallying neighbors, and transforming fundraising into a larger movement. In the process, he stepped naturally into the role of an ambassador, constantly reminding Singaporeans that their donations translate into real help—psychosocial support, education aid, and even a bridging school that eases children back into mainstream classrooms after treatment. His work has become a symbol of hope and cancer survival for countless families.

Among the many milestones, one stands out. His son Wilson was invited to be a CCF ambassador himself, taking part in the campaign’s kickoff event. That day, his head was shaved by Singapore’s Minister of Education, Mr. Desmond Lee. For a young boy, it was a surreal moment of recognition—and a lighthearted one too. When asked on stage why he was happy, Wilson’s simple answer, “Because the minister cut my hair,” drew laughter from the crowd and left an unforgettable memory of cancer survival and hope for the family.

Lessons for Parents Facing the Unthinkable

Source: Mr. Wu

Mr. Wu doesn’t sugarcoat the experience of hearing that your child has cancer. “I think the initial experience and feelings are going to be really daunting. Cancer also carries a very negative stigma,” he says, “When you hear the word ‘cancer,’ the first thought is often that it’s a death sentence.”

But his message to parents walking this road is one of radical hope.

“I would say the first thing is not to treat it as a death sentence. Try to stay positive, even though the diagnosis may seem bleak or negative. Just don’t give up. Be a bit more optimistic, and take each day, each step, at a time. My parting message is that you have to understand that it’s always very dark before dawn. It may feel overwhelming at times, but you can be assured that the light will break soon. Hope is just around the corner, even when things feel the darkest. And know that God will be there to pull you out from the depths.”

It’s the kind of encouragement only another parent who’s been there can give—and it hits home.

Why You Should Care (Even If Cancer Hasn’t Touched You)

You might be thinking: why should I, a busy parent juggling work and family, get involved? Mr. Wu has an answer for that, too.

“With just one act—shaving your hair—you raise funds that turn into real programs for kids and families. And if shaving feels like too much, donating makes a huge difference. Your support means parents like me don’t have to face this alone.”

His wife once shaved her head too, standing beside Wilson as a bald mother in solidarity. That photograph—one family united by courage—still moves everyone who sees it.

The Legacy of Hair for Hope

Seventeen years in, Mr. Wu is still showing up. He continues to shave, fundraise, and speak out. Not because it’s easy, but because he knows what’s at stake.

“I do this in memory of the children we lost in the ward,” he shares softly. “Every year, when I shave, I tell their parents, ‘I’m doing this in memory of your child.’ We’re still in touch, still a community. That bond never goes away.”

Light After the Dark

Mr. Wu’s story isn’t just about one father or one campaign. It’s about what happens when ordinary people answer an extraordinary call. What began as a simple shave became a lifeline in the darkest nights, a bond with families who understood the pain, and a role as an ambassador for resilience and compassion.

For parents, his journey is deeply familiar: the fear of not being able to protect their child, the desire to give them every chance at joy. Mr. Wu shows that sometimes, moving forward isn’t just about protecting your own—it’s about standing up for others so no family faces the storm alone.

Hair for Hope 2025 may have ended, but the work continues. Every donation helps fund programs—from counselling to family support—ensuring that when the storm comes, there’s light on the other side.

Hope, once shared, doesn’t just grow back like hair. It spreads, it multiplies, and it changes lives.

Originally published on theAsianparent Singapore