Cancer Story - Eddie Chau
Eddie Chau learnt that he had third stage lung cancer in October 2018. A cancer patient friend took him to Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, the extraordinary architectural features and ever-changing illumination left him with a good impression.
Sometime after, Tuen Mun Hospital arranged for him to stay in the hospital for further examination, he looked through the toilet windows and saw this cultural rich architecture. He wished to sketch the beautiful image. In order not to prevent other patients from using the toilet, he went to it while others were taking their afternoon nap. With his sharp eyes and skillful hands, Eddie grasped the chance and completed his first sketch of Maggie’s Centre in a few goes.
One day, Eddie came to the hospital again for a medical consultation with his daughter’s company, the daughter worried about her father and wanted to know more about the treatment, so they came to Maggie’s Centre. He and his daughter gained confidence towards the treatment after talking with the oncology nurse and they both were impressed by her friendly attitude and wealth of professional knowledge.
He also recalled the day that the Centre Head introduced this place and gave him a copy of the founder’s book “A view from the front line”. The book allowed Eddie and his daughter to know more about the mission of this organisation. Eddie was later even more amazed by the founder, architect and landscape architect when he discovered from the Centre website about the well-thought-out design rationale of the Maggie’s Centre in Hong Kong.
Eddie inherited an artistic sense from his mother, he began drawing from an early age. Upon entering Maggie’s Centre, he noticed the design of the place was a blend of architectural philosophies of the East and West, with a vibrant mix of ray indoors. The illumination changes during the day, brought on by the whimsical refraction of the sunlight, glass panels and walls, which had a positive effect on visitors emotions, including helping them to calm down and strengthening them on the road to recovery. He has completed seven sketch drawings of Maggie’s Centre, in a bid to tell others the beauty of this place at different distances and angles through his pencil.
