Yan Yee @Support Swimmer

Supporting Alex: Making the Impossible Possible for the Next Generation

22‑year‑old Yan Yee was born with Down syndrome. From the moment she arrived, she faced one medical challenge after another: a heart defect and an unclosed ductus arteriosus at birth; open‑heart surgery at two months old; duodenal surgery at five months; an asthma diagnosis at one year old; and at three and a half, acute lymphoblastic leukemia that required two and a half years of chemotherapy.

Yet none of these hardships ever defeated her.

After completing chemotherapy, Yan Yee began swimming at age six. In the water, she showed her first genuine smile. At nine, she joined the Down Syndrome swimming team. At thirteen, she represented Hong Kong at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Canada. Since then, she has competed every year in para swimming competitions in Hong Kong and Macau, earning numerous medals. This October, she will once again represent Hong Kong — this time in Portugal.

Swimming transformed her from a protected little girl into a courageous athlete ready to face the world.

Why does Yan Yee support Alex?

When she learned that Alex would take on the 35 km Hong Kong–Macau charity swim, she said: “Alex swims so far to help people. I want to help people too.”

She knows Alex is a father who is willing to challenge a near‑impossible mission for the next generation — for the future of many children. And she wants to use her own strength to support this father who is swimming for kids. Alex’s challenge raises funds for IHKSports, so more grassroots children and children with special needs can, like Yan Yee, find strength and hope through sports.

Yan Yee believes: Different abilities can still become someone else’s strength. A physical condition does not stop you from doing something meaningful for the world.

Her invitation: Join Alex as a Support Swimmer

Yan Yee hopes more people will join Alex’s Support Swimmer team. You don’t need to swim fast. You don’t need to be an athlete. As long as you’re willing to use your strength to support the next generation, you can become a Support Swimmer. Because swimming is not just a sport — it is companionship, strength, and hope.

👉 Join “Support Swimmer”