A heartwarming story unfolded in Dubai when a British teacher, Sian Moss, battling breast cancer, received a surprise visit from her best friend. Sian, 29, was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer just one week before her birthday in May this year. Living in Dubai without any family support, Sian had to face the challenge of starting chemotherapy alone due to covid flight restrictions. To add to her distress, she began losing her hair, leaving her feeling disheartened.

Sian expressed her gratitude, saying, “Amanda’s surprise came at the best time. I’d had a really tough week… That morning I woke up and thought ‘I just can’t be bothered with this anymore’. I was in such a flat mood, so when I came out and saw her, I almost fainted. I just couldn’t believe she was there. There was so much emotion. I felt instantly better. It was amazing.”

Sian discovered a lump in her right breast during a workout earlier this year. Despite not feeling ill, she decided to get it checked out, and it turned out to be a life-saving decision. Catching her cancer at an early stage, Sian counts herself lucky. Reflecting on her situation, she said, “With the situation, I tell myself how lucky I am that I did get it checked and got it sorted so soon. It could have a completely different story within six months to a year.”

Amanda and Sian became friends when they both worked in Dubai three years ago. However, Amanda had to move back to the UK after being made redundant during the pandemic. When she heard about Sian’s diagnosis, Amanda decided to surprise her friend by flying back to Dubai to be by her side.

This story reminds us of the power of friendship and support during challenging times. Sian’s journey not only demonstrates the importance of early detection but also highlights the incredible impact friends can have on our well-being. Let us celebrate acts of kindness that bring joy and hope to those who need it most.