Jackie's a hit with kids at cancer centre

HE lost his friend Lydia Sum to cancer two weeks ago.

And just last week, his father died after struggling with prostate cancer at the age of 93.

Despite all that, Jackie Chan was the consummate professional at the new Viva-University Cancer Centre of the National University Hospital (NUH) at 9am yesterday.

Just like his on-screen characters, he was a picture of fun and smiles, when he met young cancer patients as part of his role as the Ambassador of Goodwill for the hospital's Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer.

The 53-year-old Hong Kong superstar conducted a hands-on martial arts lesson for 10 children, most of them patients at the cancer centre, demonstrating some basic kung fu moves and urging them to imitate him.

Of his ambassador role, Jackie said: 'I see young children suffering, with their hair falling out because of chemotherapy.

'It breaks my heart, and it does remind me of my father. So naturally, I have to help them.'

Having had two people close to him dying of cancer, Jackie has seen the effects of the illness first-hand.

Yet, he said both Lydia and his father never let their health get them down.

Of Lydia, Jackie said in Mandarin: 'She was our 'kai xin guo', our 'fruit of happiness'.

'She brought us decades of happiness. When you think of laughter, you immediately think of her.'

He added that his father's 'cancer spread very fast'.

'But at least he was happy when he passed away.'

At the hospital yesterday, the children enthusiastically exhibited their martial arts skills to the action star, proudly showing off their high kicks and punches.

Launched in May 2006, the Viva Foundation is a joint venture between St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee and NUH.

It aims to improve the survival rate and treatment of childhood cancer, particularly leukaemia, in the region.

This is Jackie's second visit to NUH. He was there last year too, as part of his ambassador role.

This time, Jackie also dropped by at the Cancer Centre's Day Therapy Unit to distribute goodie bags bearing the logo of his hit movie Rob-B-Hood.

Before his arrival in the ward, many of the children were chattering excitedly about getting to meet the superstar.

Exclamations of 'Jackie Chan is coming!' could be heard echoing around the room.

As Jackie made his way through the ward, they scrambled to get his autograph.

However, he was also frank in his limited capacity to help the children.

He quipped: 'Depend on me for entertainment, but depend on doctors for health.'

And judging by the laughter and smiles on the little ones' faces yesterday, that was more than enough.