Miri parents appeal for RM95,000 to help 22-month-old daughter hear
MIRI (July 29): The parents of 22-month-old Yvonne Paw are urgently appealing to the public to help raise RM95,000 for an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) operation scheduled for Aug 16, 2025 — a life-changing surgery that could allow her to hear for the first time.
CT scans at Miri Hospital revealed that Yvonne was born without cochleae in both ears, rendering her profoundly deaf since birth. The operation will be conducted at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Kuching, and her family is racing against time to secure the funds needed.
She was diagnosed with hearing problems shortly after birth, and her mother Wong Siew Chin and father Paw Keh Chuong are now desperate, placing their hopes in the public's generosity to give their daughter the gift of sound.
Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said the ABI procedure differs from the more common cochlear implant, as it is meant for patients with absent or damaged cochleae.
The estimated cost for Yvonne's operation is RM145,000, of which RM50,000 has already been raised.
'The family has managed to raise RM50,000, but it is still short of RM95,000 with 18 days left to this operation,' he said during a press conference at the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Piasau office on Tuesday.
Ting, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, as well as SUPP Piasau branch chairman and party secretary-general, urged the public to donate through the Miri City Cochlear Implant Society (MCCIS).
'There are only 18 days left as the operation is scheduled to be carried out on Aug 16 this year,' he said.
As MCCIS chairman, Ting expressed appreciation to Miri residents for their past generosity, citing the case of Rhea Moh Ning Xuan, a girl who partially regained her hearing after undergoing a successful cochlear implant procedure last year.
Ting said Rhea, now one and a half-years-old, underwent surgery on Dec 22, 2024, when she was about one-year-old.
Rhea, a previous recipient of a cochlear implant procedure, lies on the shoulder of Ting, who helped kick off the fundraising campaign for her successful operation last year.
Her operation was made possible thanks to overwhelming public response to her parents' appeal.
Rhea's parents, Moh Nien Chong and Janet Teng, attended Tuesday's press conference in support of the fundraising drive for Yvonne.
According to Dr Doris Jong, Rhea is responding well to sounds, especially the 'Happy Birthday' song, and her hearing has improved from profound to moderate loss. She is also beginning to make sounds of her own.
Ting made a heartfelt appeal to the public to help Yvonne receive her implant before she turns two, which is a critical milestone for speech and auditory development.
'To those rooting for Yvonne to also hear and eventually learn, please donate to the operation for best results before she reaches the age of two,' he said.
All donations will go to a dedicated account for Yvonne's operation.
Those interested can contact the SAHATI Service & Information Centre, or donate directly to the Alliance Bank account of the Miri City Cochlear Implant Society: 110270010015028. hearing implants public donations Sebastian Ting surgery
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