\n<\/p>\n
A single father in Malaysia is hoping to raise RM2 million (S$631,900) to seek urgent treatment for his 15-year-old daughter’s leukaemia in Singapore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mirabelle Kua Han Fay, a teenager from Melaka, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of blood cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to a donation drive posted on the One Hope Charity and Welfare’s website on Tuesday (Dec 16), she has to travel to Singapore this week to begin a form of immunotherapy treatment known as Car-T cell therapy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The decision was made after “all treatment options in Malaysia [were] exhausted”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Doctors have advised that she better begin Car-T treatment in Singapore within this week. This is her only chance to survive, and the earlier the treatment begins, the higher her chances of success,” according to the page.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It added that Kua’s chances of recovery is more than 80 per cent if the treatment is successful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the charity, her illness was discovered after she developed a fever on Sept 9 this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite four cycles of chemotherapy, her cancer markers did not retreat, prompting doctors to recommend urgent treatment in Singapore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The only obstacle which stands in their way, however, is the cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The RM2 million which the donation drive hopes to raise would cover her Car-T therapy, related medical tests, medications, hospitalisation, as well as “any subsequent stem cell or bone marrow transplant required”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The charity also stated that Kua’s father, Soon Leng, works as a car window tinting salesperson earning RM3,000 a month, which goes towards supporting Kua as well his elderly father, the organiser added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kua’s parents divorced when she was a child, but her mother has since returned to care for her following her diagnosis, the page stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a video posted to the charity’s Facebook page, her parents can be seen appealing to the public for donations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“If she doesn’t begin treatment now, she will lose her life,” said Soon Leng in the video.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kua was also quoted in captions to the video as stating, “I want to live… please don’t give up on me”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Speaking to the camera from a hospital bed, Kua said in English: “I really wish that you can help me with my leukaemia, and I can go back to my previous life. Thank you everyone for the help.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
As of writing, the fundraising effort has raised RM1.35 million from 9,580 donations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[[nid:725798]]<\/p>\n
candicecai@asiaone.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n