#SpreadRainbowCheer A Little Festive Joy – Aleena and Alicia’s Story of Love, Resilience and Togetherness
At home, Aleena and Alicia are sisters who bring different kinds of joy to their family.
Seven-year-old Aleena is the younger of the two. Despite facing a complex range of medical challenges, she is always carrying a smile on her face. Her 10-year-old sister, Alicia, is a creative yet sensitive girl who is quick to notice how the people around her are feeling — and even quicker to find a way to cheer them up.
Together, the sisters have grown through experiences that have taught their family to treasure the little moments.
A Smile Through It All
Aleena was diagnosed with a translocated chromosome abnormality, which has resulted in several chronic medical conditions, including Dandy-Walker syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), immune dysregulation, low muscle tone and feeding difficulties.
Her medical journey has been a demanding one. To date, Aleena has undergone nine surgeries, receives monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, and has had multiple emergency hospital admissions.
Yet, through it all, she continues to surprise her family with her resilience. Aleena faces medical procedures bravely and is known to smile at her surgeons and doctors after they apologise for the painful procedures she has had to endure. She is also easily contented. During long hospital stays, something as simple as a tiger squishy ball or a LEGO set can keep her happy and occupied.
For Aleena, joy can be found in the smallest things. And her smile has a way of bringing joy to the people around her too.
Sisters Who Look Out for Each Other
Alicia, meanwhile, has a gentle way of caring for her family.
As the eldest, she often notices the emotions and non-verbal cues of those around her. When she senses that someone is feeling low, she will give them a hug or draw a card to cheer them up. She also loves making funny faces to make Aleena laugh. Her presence can make a huge difference to Aleena’s mood, and her family sees how much the sisters mean to each other.
Alicia has her own challenges too. She has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, and she receives medication and therapy support.
Despite what each girl experiences in her own way, they continue to find joy in one another — through laughter, creativity and the simple comfort of having a sister by their side.
When Family Time Takes Extra Planning
For this family, spending time together outside the home is not always easy.
Because of Aleena’s immune dysregulation and feeding needs, the family generally needs to avoid crowds. As a result, many holiday seasons are spent at home.
Sometimes, when Alicia would like to attend a busier event, such as a festive carnival, the family has to split up. One parent stays home with Aleena while the other takes Alicia out.
Whenever they have the chance to go for outings together as a family of four, they are especially grateful for the support of others who help make these precious outings possible.
Discovering Club Rainbow and Kris Kringle
The family was referred to Club Rainbow (Singapore) by their hospital social worker, who also shared about Club Rainbow’s Kris Kringle programme.
Every year under Club Rainbow’s Kris Kringle programme, families are invited to submit a small wish that their child would love to receive for Christmas under Kris Kringle. Through Kris Kringle, her family has been able to choose gifts that are meaningful to her at different stages of her life.
Last year, Kris Kringle brought an especially meaningful surprise for both sisters. Aleena wished for a cause-and-effect toy, while Alicia wished for a new bag. The family recalled, “Their donor, Julia was so kind, she came to our house to deliver the gifts to us! There were also additional gifts in the bag which she and her family lovingly packed for our family. We were so blessed by her love and kindness!”
Through Club Rainbow, events such as outings allowed the girls to experience different places across Singapore — from the zoo to indoor playgrounds and the Science Centre, without the added worry of cost, while giving the family opportunities to make memories together. With both girls requiring ongoing support and medical expenses continuing to add up, these opportunities mean more than just a day out. They create precious moments of togetherness.
When a Small Gift Means So Much
Kris Kringle may begin with a simple wish, but its impact can reach much further. For children living with chronic medical conditions, moments of joy can sometimes come amidst hospital stays, medical appointments and the everyday challenges of managing their health.
For Aleena and Alicia’s family, that message of care is especially meaningful.
“Thank you so much to the donors and partners who made Kris Kringle possible and truly made the festive season a special time for children like Alicia and Aleena,” their family shares. “It brings them so much joy to know there are people who love and care for them, even people whom they have not met before.”
A Reminder That They Are Not Forgotten
For those thinking of donating or fundraising for Kris Kringle this year, the family hopes others will remember just how much a small act of kindness can mean.
“The small gifts can truly bring so much joy and love to children battling with chronic medical conditions. It helps the children to catch a glimpse of the joy and love of the festive season and, most importantly, to share the message with them that they are not forgotten.”
This festive season, support our children like Aleena and Alicia via #SpreadRainbowCheer Fundraising Campaign and help give joy and hope, meaningful experiences and opportunities to children and families supported by Club Rainbow (Singapore).
Donate today, start your own fundraising campaign or spread the word with #SpreadRainbowCheer. Together, we can make this season a little brighter for our children.
About Club Rainbow (Singapore)
Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children with chronic illnesses, many of whom have disabilities and special needs, and their families. Anchored in our commitment to empowering individuals to lead dignified lives and become active contributors to society, Club Rainbow delivers more than 30 critical programmes, services, and assistance schemes to support our children and their family members.
Website: https://www.clubrainbow.org
Contact number: 6377 1789
Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / YouTube: @clubrainbowsingapore