From a cancer survivor to an aspiring meteorologist

By Sadia Roohi

At just 16, Deca Lim received life-altering news: he had glioma, a type of brain cancer. His world turned upside down as he faced uncertainty, fear, and the daunting reality of treatment.

“It was a traumatic period,” Deca recalled. “I was scared of what the future held, unsure about the implications of my condition.” 

He underwent multiple surgeries, including one that lasted 14 hours, and endured 15 months of chemotherapy.

The financial strain on his family during that time was significant. His mother quit her job as a guest relations officer at a hotel to care for him, while his father continued to work as a taxi driver. Medical bills mounted and the family faced overwhelming stress.

Throughout his two-year battle with cancer, the 22-year-old found strength in knowing that overcoming each challenge brought him closer to recovery. Deca was determined not to let cancer define his future.

Deca, a second-year Environmental Engineering student at NTU, enjoys spending time in nature. His passion for the ever-changing weather fuels his dream of a career in meteorology.

“It was tough,” he said. “But I knew I should not give up, I have my whole life ahead of me.”

He returned to school, balancing his studies with weekly treatments, and eventually passed his O-Levels and went on to study at a junior college. He recently crossed the five-year mark post treatment.

His face lights up when he speaks about his love for the environment and activities like nature walks. “Reading about weather phenomena has brought me joy and I like how ever-changing the weather is,” he said.

Now a second-year student at NTU’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Deca sees the environmental engineering studies as a great starting point for his career goal in meteorology. 

He likes to self-study local weather patterns and the global climate, including looking at advanced weather models like the Global Forecast System in predicting weather systems especially those which may affect Singapore. He has set his mind on applying for an internship at the Meteorological Service Singapore.

Giving back to society

Deca has received two bursaries at NTU, the Margaretha Williams Bursary Education Fund and The Nasser Saddique Bursary, which helped ease the financial burden for his family. His younger brother is still studying at a local polytechnic.

Beyond alleviating financial pressures, the bursaries allowed him to study with peace of mind. “With the stress lifted, I can fully focus on my studies and enjoy learning,” said Deca.

Deca also dedicates his time to volunteer with the Children’s Cancer Foundation, helping young cancer patients who are going through tough times.

“Volunteering helps me remind others that this is not the end, and that there’s always hope,” Deca reflected.

Deca volunteers with the Children’s Cancer Foundation, offering support and hope to young cancer patients during challenging times.

He feels grateful for the gift of life and the chance to pursue his academic dream.

“Other than my family who supports me fully, my faculty professors have been very accommodating to my needs, especially Professor Lim Siow Yong and Professor Cao Bin. There were times I had to miss classes for medical check-ups, and due to my past surgeries, I have some difficulty in retaining information. The profs were very welcoming when I had to meet them for consultations,” he said.

Looking to the future, Deca is inspired by the support he has received and aspires to contribute to the NTU Bursary Fund once he is financially able.

“I want to help other students in similar situations,” he says. “Just like how others helped me.”

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