In 2020, Jony Lee faced a mix of joy and heartache as she prepared for her wedding to Alistair Lee while her mother, Luna Macapagal, learned that her ovarian cancer had returned. Determined to support her mother, Lee pledged to shave her head in solidarity if Macapagal lost her hair during chemotherapy. When the time came for their wedding reception, the couple surprised their guests by shaving their heads and asking for donations to a cancer organization. The gesture went viral on TikTok and allowed Lee to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and the importance of early detection.
Macapagal had a difficult time getting her cancer diagnosed due to the vague symptoms associated with ovarian cancer. It took several years before she was finally diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2018. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Macapagal went into remission, only to have the cancer return in 2020. Lee suggested shaving her head to support her mom, but when Macapagal was too weak for more treatment, her husband proposed the idea of shaving their heads at their wedding reception. The emotional moment touched all their guests and brought a sense of unity and support for Macapagal.
The decision to shave their heads at their wedding was kept a secret from everyone except a few close family members and vendors. During the traditional Filipino wedding dance where guests pinned money to the bride and groom’s clothes, Lee took the microphone and explained their plan to donate the money to cancer charity. The guests were moved to tears as they watched the couple shave each other’s heads, symbolizing their solidarity with Macapagal and all those affected by cancer. The gesture had a profound impact on everyone in attendance.
Despite the difficulties of growing up with a strained relationship with her mother, Lee and Macapagal grew closer as Macapagal battled cancer. Lee regrets not valuing their relationship sooner and wishes she had more time with her mother. Macapagal passed away in January 2021, leaving Lee to carry on her legacy. Lee believes her mother would have been proud of the impact their story had on raising awareness about ovarian cancer and the importance of supporting loved ones through difficult times. She feels a sense of loss but also gratitude for the opportunity to honor her mother in such a meaningful way.
Macapagal was known for her fierce personality and love for her family. She always put her family first and valued their relationships, especially as she battled cancer. Although Lee misses her mother and wishes she could have shared more milestones with her, she finds solace in knowing that their story has touched so many people and raised awareness about ovarian cancer. Lee acknowledges that the impact of cancer extends beyond the individual receiving treatment and affects all those close to them. She hopes their story will continue to inspire others to support their loved ones through difficult times and raise awareness about early detection of cancer.
Lee reflects on her mother’s legacy and the impact she had on her life and career. She credits her mother with instilling in her a sense of resilience and strength that has helped her navigate life’s challenges. She believes her mother would have been proud of her accomplishments and the impact their story has had on raising awareness about ovarian cancer. Despite the loss of her mother, Lee cherishes the memories they shared and the lessons she learned from their journey together. She hopes to continue honoring her mother’s memory by advocating for cancer awareness and supporting those in need.
