On 2nd November, Anna Do Hanh An – one of our former students passed away, after a long and brave battle with leukaemia. Her fight against this terrible disease has been a continual inspiration to us all .
Anna, one of the first students joining our school in 2013, was an outstanding student throughout her time with us. Walking around the Secondary school, we can still see evidence of her involvement in school life. There are many examples of Anna’s high-quality art work up on the walls. In class, Anna was a cheerful girl, who showed her well-rounded talents in her different subject choices. She was a good friend of many, displaying admirable qualities of compassion, integrity, care and unswerving positivity.
Unfortunately, a little more than 2 years ago, Anna was diagnosed with an acute form of cancer: acute myeloid leukemia. She had to leave the school for her special treatment early in her first term of Year 13. Since then, Anna had been a resilient and positive girl and a brave warrior but deep down inside her heart, there were thoughts and worries for other people.
“Anna fought bravely with her cancer as she stayed positive, kept herself busy with painting, singing, doing vlogs… The one thing she worried about was knowing the family, even her younger brother and sister, were going through difficult time. She felt it was her fault and she started her own online funding campaign without letting us know about that” said Do Duc Thanh, Anna’s father.
Over the past months, when we knew of the further need for support, our school teachers and students held a Charity Jumble Sale for Anna on 15th November raising in total 40,575,000 VND ($1,749). All the money was then donated to Anna's family together with the kindness of all benefactors.
In our meeting with her father, Do Duc Thanh, on 26th November, we shared our deepest sorrow with her family. He expressed: “Anna loved everything about BVIS when she studied here. She always wanted to come back to school someday. Anna has left us forever but her spirit and energy will surely spread far and for a long time. My family would like to express our sincere thanks to the BVIS, Ha Noi community for everything you have done to support Anna”.
We are so grateful for the years that we knew Anna and had her a part of our community. We are so grateful too to the family for the way that they have shared this incredible journey of courage in the face of adversity with us all. We remember Anna with much love and respect, and we continue to share with Anna’s family in their sorrow
Thank you to all of the community for your care and assistance during these past few years.
