A young couple from Thailand have shown incredible strength under devastating circumstances.
21-year-old Pooh Chokchai Kaew suffers from life threatening eye cancer which has spread across his face.
Doctors have apparently no way to treat his end-stage cancer, however, Pooh remains hopeful for a miraculous return to health.
Fortunately, Pooh has a wonderful source of support in his caring girlfriend Atittaya Chumkeaw, whose dedication to her partner shows just how powerful a loving relationship can be.
Taking to social media, Atittaya – who’s from the Songkhla Province – posted a picture of the committed couple in celebration of their anniversary, captioning it, ‘Third anniversary, love the same.’
Atittaya’s touching post under such upsetting circumstances resonated with a lot of people and was soon shared by a group called True Buddhism.
True Buddhism went into greater detail about Pooh and Atittaya’s exceptionally strong relationship, praising Atittaya for her loyalty:
The young man is suffering from end-stage cancer that has spread throughout his face.
The family revealed doctors have no treatment, with radiotherapy or chemotherapy but the young man still hopes for a miracle and the tumour will disappear.
This post is not to give false hope to cancer patients. I admire the girl who’s standing by her partner. Fans say the love she gives to her boyfriend is the best thing she can offer. It may even cause miracles to happen.
After being shared by True Buddhism, the story of Pooh and Atittaya went viral, with many new fans coming forward to offer words of praise and support.
One person wrote: ‘I believe this is a wonderful way for Heaven and Earth to make miracles happen.’
While another urged: ‘Keep fighting, both of you’.
According to local media, Pooh’s cancer began as a retinoblastoma (Rb). Usually found among young children, Rb develops within the immature cells of the retina; the light-detecting tissue at the back of the eye.
According to the NHS website, Rb can be treated and cured if detected early enough.
However, the destructive cancer cells have now spread across Pooh’s face, despite him having undergone surgery as well as two rounds of chemotherapy.
Both Atittaya and Pooh are reportedly pleased to have gained some internet fame and have expressed their hopes for improved health; both for Pooh and for other cancer sufferers across the world.
Writing on Facebook last year, Atittaya spoke movingly about the love between herself and Pooh:
We’ll hold hands and walk beside each other forever. We’ll be rooting for each other forever. We’re not going to let go.
We’ll make our future together. We’ll have a better life. We’re ready to face everything.
We’re ready for everything. We’ll never give up. We’re gonna get married together.
In another post she wrote:
The love I choose may not be a dream. But it’s a happy love.
The close bond between this young couple when faced with such difficult challenges is truly inspiring.
We wish them both all the best.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues, and want to speak to someone in confidence contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 8pm).
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.