Yes, that's us in the big photo above, unapologetically enjoying pastries—and I was still undergoing chemo at the time.
We know, we know—cancer loves sugar, and we’re strict on no-sugar diet during my cancer fighting period.
But you know, every once in a while, life needs a little sweetness (and a lot of strawberries, because they’re basically cancer-fighting superheroes in fruit form). Cheat day? Absolutely. Regrets? Zero.
And as of Feb 2025, I am already 1 year and 5 months remission.
Now that we’ve addressed the elephant in the café, let me tell you about our story.
But First, A Little Bit About Us
Starting with me, Irwin.
I’m an Iban from Sarikei, Sarawak—working a typical 9-to-5 job, specializing in digital marketing. But beyond the routine, I’ve always been driven by a big dream, constantly hustling with side businesses, hoping to make it big one day.
Before cancer, my lifestyle wasn’t exactly the picture of health. I had a serious love for sugary drinks—downing at least 3 to 4 cups of teh tarik, cham, or whatever sweet concoction I could get my hands on daily. And when it came to food, let’s just say I never let anything go to waste. My friends even gave me the nickname “DBKL” (a reference to the city council’s street sweepers) because I’d happily clean up everyone’s leftovers. My catchphrase? “Are you still eating that?” 😆
So yeah, I ate a lot back in the day. And while I did occasionally have vegetables (usually at a Chinese mixed rice shop) or fruits, my diet was far from balanced. Knowing what I know today, I have little doubt that my excessive sugar intake and processed food consumption played a major role in my cancer diagnosis. This became a wake-up call—one that completely changed the way I live my life today.
Also, before cancer, I’m not religious, but I am quite spiritual in nature. But after cancer, I’ve decided to become a catholic. Wanna know why? Just check out my April 2023 Entry in the timeline below 🙂
And I'm Dr Jean.
Just call me Jean.
I was born in Sandakan, Sabah, to a Filipino-Malaysian family and pursued my medical studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta—one of the most prestigious medical schools in South East Asia. In 2018, I proudly graduated, eager to dedicate my life to helping others.
However, shortly after beginning my housemanship, I made the difficult decision to walk away. The relentless demands of the job—endless shifts, little to no rest, and barely enough time for a proper meal—took a heavy toll on my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. While my passion for patient care never wavered, I found myself battling a system that left me drained and defeated.
Leaving medicine wasn’t easy, especially with the weight of expectations from my family, who struggled to understand my choice. But stepping away led me to new opportunities, first in a medical startup and eventually in the tech industry.
Life seemed to be on a steady path—until Irwin was diagnosed with cancer. That moment changed everything. It pulled me back into the medical world, but this time, with a deeper purpose: to fight for the person I love.
Also here are some of my graduation pictures😊😊
Just want to show you these as evidence that I’m real and really graduate as a medical doctor. Also as proof that I’m not a “PhD doctor” but a true medical doctor who studied very hard with countless sweat and tears for 6 years to get my medical degree.
Our Journey fighting cancer
Our Lifelong Mission
For as long as we are still breathing, we will dedicate our lives to help more people win the fight against cancer.
We believe this journey was part of God’s plan for us—to use our experience to guide, support, and inspire others. And we are truly thankful to God for this experience and for the fact that God gave us a second chance in life.
We are deeply grateful for this second chance at life and for the opportunity to share what we’ve learned.
If you’re fighting this battle right now, don’t lose hope. Have faith. And reach out to us—we’re here to help. May God bless you and us all with healing and everlasting health. Amen 🙏