Katy Tong: Cancer Survivor, Sailing Star

When Katy Tong walked into her doctor's appointment the day before she was set to embark on an extended solo trip to Australia, it was meant to be a quick check-up to ease her mother's worries. Instead, at 28, she received earth-shattering news that reshaped her life: a stage 2 lymphoma diagnosis.

The vibrant, workaholic event producer, accustomed to 12-hour days fueled by adrenaline and ambition, found herself grappling with a swollen neck, hair loss from chemotherapy, and a crisis of self-esteem. Yet, from this crucible of fear and vulnerability, Katy emerged with a renewed zest for life, channeling her energy into sailing and advocacy and inspiring other cancer survivors to embrace life's possibilities.

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

Katy's world turned upside down in her late twenties. Initially mistaking her swollen neck for weight gain, she brushed it off, assuming it would resolve on its own. "I thought I was just getting fat," she laughs, recalling her youthful denial. "I kept wearing thick necklaces to cover it up, thinking it's not a big deal." But the hospital's urgency—admitting her immediately after an emergency room visit—shattered her nonchalance. Alone at the doctor's office, she received the diagnosis: lymphoma. "I walked out of the hospital, went home, cried until I was exhausted, and just slept," she says. "I didn't know what cancer was. My world just stopped." Her instinct was to shield her family, particularly her elderly grandfather, with whom she shared a close bond. "He was in his nineties—I didn't want him to worry," she explains. "I thought that maybe I could just hide it from him until my hair grew back."

The emotional toll was immense. Chemotherapy stripped away her hair, eyebrows, and confidence, leaving her feeling like a shadow of herself. The life-shattering event forced her to confront her self-image. "I'd wear hats, masks, glasses…anything to avoid being seen," she recalls. "I took taxis everywhere, avoiding public places because I felt so terrible about myself." Heavy makeup became her armor, a stark contrast to the carefree woman who once thrived in the high-energy world of event production. Yet, her mother's quiet strength anchored her. Moving back home, Katy found solace in her mother's nurturing, even as she navigated strained family dynamics. "My mom didn't ask too much; she just cared for me silently," Katy recalls, highlighting the familial strength that carried her through.

Her grandfather, a vibrant figure who learned to use a computer in his nineties, also inspired her. "He was in his nineties, but he was still learning, still teaching others at the community center," she says. His refusal to give up, even in old age, planted seeds of resilience that would later shape her outlook. "He showed me you can keep going, no matter your age or the challenges you may face," she reflects.

From Survival to Sailing

Post-treatment, Katy refused to return to her old life of relentless work and unhealthy habits. "I realized that life is fragile," she says. "In my twenties, I thought I had all the time in the world, but I suddenly found myself thinking, 'I spent my whole life saving money and haven't spent it. What if I die?'" This epiphany propelled her into a year of travel, spending her savings on adventures across Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives, Australia, and Canada. She earned her scuba diving license in 2015, free-dived to 20 meters, and tried paragliding and dragon boating. But it was sailing that captured her heart, offering a unique blend of challenge and tranquility. "I love the sea," she says. "The color blue and the ocean calm your emotions. Out there, you realize how small we are, but also how strong we can be."

Katy's first offshore sailing trip, a non-stop journey from Taiwan to Japan, was transformative. "It was my first time offshore: more than 24 hours, non-stop, with shifts," she recalls. "It was tough, but so exciting. You need time, strength, experience, and knowledge to maintain the boat. I loved it." The experience demanded teamwork, quick thinking, and adaptability—skills she honed under pressure. "I've seen squalls hit, waves flipping boats," she says, recounting a harrowing moment when a sudden storm tested her crew's resilience. "You learn how to react, stay safe, and keep going." Sailing taught her to adapt to unpredictable winds and waves, mirroring life's uncontrollable challenges. "You can't change the wind, just like you can't change what happens in life," she says. "You adjust your sails, your mindset."

Her passion for sailing grew through her involvement with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, where she serves on the Young Members Committee. "We have many committees, and I help organize events," she explains. These experiences deepened her connection to the sport, blending social bonds with physical challenges. "Sailing isn't just about the boat; it's about the people, the sea, the freedom," she says. Summer outings to Sai Kung for seafood and nature became cherished rituals, reinforcing her love for the community and the sport.

Empowering Through Sailing

Katy's love for sailing fueled her advocacy. Inspired by a late-stage cancer patient, Jenny, who dreamed of sailing before passing away, Katy launched the "Capture the Moment – Victoria Harbour Sailing Experience" with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. For four years, this initiative has brought patients and caregivers onto the water, creating lasting memories. "Even one trip can change their attitude," she says. "They see the world is big, and they're part of it; they shared precious moments with their loved ones. That's enough." For Katy, these moments are about connection. "We create a page in their storybook, a shared sentence in our lives," she says. "That's the magic of human encounters."

The program, initially sparked by an unfulfilled wish, has touched countless lives. "She was 30, knew she was leaving, and wanted to sail," Katy recalls. Though Jenny passed before the trip, her dream inspired Katy to act. "I started chatting with sailing friends, and we said, 'Let's not wait—let's bring people out now,'" she says. The initiative has since welcomed patients and families, some of whom return to thank her for the memories. "One mother brought her daughter, who later passed," Katy shares. "She said it gave them a moment to hold onto." These experiences underscore sailing's power to heal, offering participants a sense of freedom and possibility.

To Katy, sailing is more than a sport; it's a metaphor for resilience. "Every time you go out, the sea is different, the wind is different," she explains. "You have to communicate with nature, with your team. It's like life; you can't control everything, but you can adapt." Her adventures have taught her to stay alert and embrace challenges, lessons she imparts to participants. "Sailing shows you can face the unpredictable and come out stronger," she says.

Challenging Stereotypes and Building Confidence

As a woman in physically demanding sports like sailing and free-diving, Katy challenges stereotypes about female strength. "People think women can't handle physical sports, but I'm out there, pulling sails, diving deep," she says. Her confidence, rebuilt through small, consistent steps, inspires others. "Rebuilding confidence is a long journey," she admits. "It's not overnight, it's daily progress, whether it's exercise, reading something inspiring, or trying something new." Her approach—small, actionable steps—resonates with women navigating setbacks, offering a practical path to empowerment.

Katy's physical journey reflects her mental growth. "After treatment, I was weak; even hiking was tough," she says. "Now, people see me and think I'm a natural athlete, but it took years of training." Her commitment to sports, especially sailing, has redefined her identity. "I'm not a professional crew, but I'm out there, building strength," she says.

A Global Advocate for Change

Katy's advocacy extends beyond Hong Kong. Previously with the Cancer Patients' Organization, she now serves on a global lung cancer patient advocacy committee, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, attending conferences worldwide. "I never planned to go international," she says. "But step by step, opportunities came." Her work connects her with advocates worldwide, allowing her to learn from other healthcare systems and push for improvements in Hong Kong. "It's about finding ways to communicate with policymakers, rather than just complaining," she says.

Her participation in the Union for International Cancer Control's online course, "Women, power, and cancer – implementing the Lancet Commission's recommendations," further deepened her commitment to addressing gender inequities in cancer care. "It inspired me a lot about women's equity," she says. "It's a long journey and a big goal. I'm still learning and hope to work on it, step by step." The course equipped her with tools to tackle disparities in access to care, leadership, and caregiving, reinforcing her advocacy for systemic change.

Her global perspective stems from her sailing mindset, characterized by adaptability and openness. "Sailing teaches you to look at the bigger picture," she says. "You realize the world is vast, and it makes you less narrow-minded." This broader worldview informs her advocacy, encouraging her to explore new ways to support patients and amplify their voices.

A Future of Small Steps and Big Dreams

Looking ahead, one of Katy's goals is to explore how gender and power dynamics influence cancer risks, care, the workforce, and policy. "It's a long journey, and learning never ends," she reflects, committed to daily progress. "I focus on 0.001% every day," she says. "The world is huge, and I want to explore it." She dreams of longer sailing journeys, perhaps crossing countries, inspired by friends who sailed from Hong Kong to Japan and the U.S. over months. "It takes strength, knowledge, and time," she says. "I will do it, even if it's tough." Her story, like her sails, catches the wind of possibility, urging others to embrace their journeys. "Life is a storybook," she says. "Every step, every encounter adds a sentence. Make it count." Katy also urges women to question societal pressures—marriage, children, high-powered careers—and forge their own paths. "People told me to marry by 28," she laughs. "But after cancer, my mom said, 'Just be happy and healthy.' That's what matters."

Katy Tong's transformation from a cancer survivor hiding behind masks to a sailor and advocate navigating life's storms embodies empowerment. Her message to women is clear: life's challenges, like unpredictable seas, can't be controlled, but with resilience and small steps, you can chart your own course. Through sailing and advocacy, Katy inspires others to find strength in embracing vulnerability, take action, and sail toward a life of purpose and joy.