GEORGE TOWN: Cancer patient Chelsea Cindion Dominic has been awarded a posthumous degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia's 59th convocation here following her passing in 2020

       Her father Dominic Rayappan, 56, who received the scroll for his late daughter's Mass Communications degree on Monday (Nay 30), said this was a form of closure for the family as she had worked hard on the course.

       "She managed to sit for her final third-year examination and passed with good results but she passed away from osteosarcoma (bone cancer) at the age of 23 on April 6, 2020, before she could sit for her final examination.

       "My daughter was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 but never let the disease hold her back. She was active in social work and took part in many of her university’s cocurricular activities.

       "Because of her contributions, the Dean of the School of Communications awarded her a posthumous degree last year but the convocation was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic,,” he said when contacted.

       Chelsea also beat the odds in 2015 when she obtained 7As in the PMR despite missing school for almost a year in Form Two when she was in SMK St George Balik Pulau.

       She was among 6,706 graduates receiving various degrees including doctorates in philosophy and master's (2,231 recipients), bachelor's (4,425 recipients) and nursing diplomas (50 recipients).

       Dominic said he also has a 20-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome who misses her elder sister very much and would regularly ask where Chelsea was.

       "In our home, we have a corner to honour Chelsea and at times, I see my younger daughter speaking. When I asked who she was talking to, she would say Chelsea.

       "I believe that Chelsea is still watching over her sister. Chelsea has appeared in the dreams of her friends and a lecturer too," he added.