Chinese British Director Battling Endometriosis Fights to Provide PPE for Medical Staff in the UK

British-Chinese director and non-profit founded WaiLo Li is creating a documentary about cancer with the goal of raising awareness for breast cancer and women’s health worldwide. While in critical condition, she is still trying to help those most affected during the United Kingdom’s shut-down.

Mother and daughter duo, Elly Li and WaiLo Li.

WaiLo is the founder of Birmingham’s Project TOM — a grassroots voluntary #ActsOfKindness non-profit group standing since 2008. To date, they have raised just over $58,000.

“Established in Birmingham (UK), in May 2008, it is based on the simple concept that doing good deeds and helping those less fortunate will help provide good role models for our future – and that the world will become a better place as a result,” the website says.

She is frantically trying to support the National Health Service (NHS) with personal protective equipment (PPE) donations and care packages for the vulnerable as the UK continues a national emergency lockdown.

WaiLo and her late mother, Elly Li, had gotten support for the project from top Oncology and OBGYN consultants at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in England.

Elly Li, mother of WaiLo Li, was helping her daughter with a documentary about cancer before passing suddenly in April 2019.

WaiLo has stage IV endometriosis and nearly died a few years ago, while her mother, a collaborator with the documentary, passed away abruptly this month last year. There is no cure for WaiLo’s cancer. The womb cells grow outside of where they are supposed to, causing organs to fuse together and creating excruciating pain for the carer. Before Elly’s passing, WaiLo had planned #SuperSurprises inspired by American comedian Ellen Degeneres.

She described her mother as, “the kindest supermom and exceptional human being.” The mother-daughter duo was featured on BBC speaking on language barriers, multiple cultures, complexities and contrasting differences, as well as being positive and overcoming stigmas and traditions.

Alongside completing the documentary, Wailo is also finishing the #SuperSurprises that she was unable to complete in full with her mother.

Elly Li and WaiLo Li completing surprise number seven of Li’s #SuperSurprises at West Midland Safari Park.

WaiLo told HuffPost UK she wanted to break the stigma of talking about breast cancer in East Asian communities.

“One of the reasons why we’re doing it is that as British Chinese we wanted to share the story not only to highlight breast cancer awareness but also cancer in minorities. It’s about breaking the silence and breaking the stigma – especially for East Asians. More talking, awareness, openness, and understanding is needed,” she said.

With Asians being more prominent in media, WaiLo has contacted well-known filmmakers for help in telling complex East Asian stories including Jon M. Chu, director of “Crazy Rich Asians,” and Lulu Wang, director of “The Farewell.” She has also reached out to Keanu Reeves for help in telling minority and women of color stories because of his highlight of his Asian ancestry.

“At such divisive and uncertain times, I hope this shows that we are all the same – we grieve the same, we love and loss, we have nearest and dearest who let us down at our lowest points and rescued by the kindness of strangers with good hearts. Kindness is the answer to all our tough situations,” WaiLo said.

Feature Images via Project Tom

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Contributer : NextShark