{
  "id": 11659306,
  "title": "‘Cancer saved me’: Hong Kong survivor finds new purpose ahead of canoe challenge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/cancer-saved-me-hong-kong-survivor-finds-new-purpose-ahead-of-canoe-11659306",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-03T10:01:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369661/cancer-saved-me-hong-kong-survivor-finds-new-purpose-ahead-canoe-challenge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 1995, Raymond Lo Shu-yuen, a 44-year-old Hongkonger, was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. Lo, who had no symptoms until a routine physical check-up, lost a quarter of his liver through surgery. The illness, although physically and mentally challenging, taught him invaluable lessons about ageing, health and making the most of life. Lo believes the cancer \"saved me,\" as it prompted him to change his lifestyle, which included working hard, eating unhealthy food, and neglecting exercise. Today, at 75, Lo is preparing for a 65km solo canoeing challenge between Tung Chung and Ma Wan, with the goal of raising funds for cancer patients and promoting public health awareness. He left his job at a large logistics company due to financial stress and began making lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthier diet, taking in stray dogs, and returning to canoeing, a hobby he had set aside years ago. Lo now paddles five days a week and has taught about 100 students as a canoe instructor. Inspired by the loss of friends and colleagues to cancer, he hopes the challenge will raise awareness of the importance of regular health check-ups and a healthy lifestyle.",
  "summary": "Thirty-one years ago, Hongkonger Raymond Lo Shu-yuen was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer and had a quarter of the organ removed. Now 75, Lo said the illness, despite its physical and mental toll, had taught him invaluable lessons about ageing, health and making the most of life. “I can say that the cancer itself saved me,” he said. “Why? If I did not have this illness, I would not have…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "‘Cancer saved me’: Hong Kong survivor finds new purpose ahead of canoe challenge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/cancer-saved-me-hong-kong-survivor-finds-new-purpose-ahead-of-canoe",
        "published": "2026-10-03T10:01:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}