Diagnosed with rare cancer, Fatin Umairah Azme needs your help

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

Fatin Umairah Azme urgently needs the immunotherapy drug Qarziba, but its six-figure cost is beyond what her family can afford. (CCEP Foundation pic)
PETALING JAYA : Most 16-year-old girls spend their time with friends, chatting about music and movies or planning for life after high school.
But for Fatin Umairah Azme, the reality is far more challenging: she has been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that starts in cells called neuroblasts, or immature nerve cells.
Neuroblastoma often begins in the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It can also develop in the spine, abdomen, neck or chest.
Over time, the cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body – most commonly to the lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow, skin and bones.
Now, Fatin needs a life-saving immunotherapy drug called Qarziba, which would cost her family a staggering RM578,000.
Fatin's father, Azme Tomezi, said she began suffering from stomach pain in January 2023. Although her condition initially improved after visiting a clinic and taking medication, the pain would recur.
'In January 2024, it became unbearable. She couldn't sleep at night due to severe abdominal cramps. I had no choice but to take her to the hospital for scans,' Azme said.
After several tests, the doctors suspected cancer. But as the hospital lacked specialised care, Fatin was referred elsewhere.
In March last year, a biopsy was performed and Fatin was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. She began chemotherapy that same month.
Further examinations, however, revealed swollen lymph nodes in her neck and that the tumour had spread to her left adrenal gland and cervical region. In August, Fatin underwent surgery to remove the tumour.
During the procedure, the doctors discovered malignant growths along her intestinal wall and on her kidney, which were removed as well.
Initially, the doctors had planned to include a stem-cell transplant as part of Fatin's treatment. But they then discovered one of her kidneys had been damaged, making it too dangerous to proceed.
Fatin subsequently began radiotherapy, and her final session ended on March 7.
CCEP Foundation CEO Yvonne Yee is appealing to the public to help Fatin and her family in their time of need. (CCEP Foundation pics)
Today, Fatin weighs only 41kg. While this is a slight improvement from her lowest weight of 34kg, she remains very frail – and in need of urgent support.
The only viable option for her is immunotherapy, and Qarziba is her only hope. Unfortunately, the cost is far more than what her family can afford.
Azme is a production staff at an air-conditioner appliance company, while his wife is a homemaker. Fatin is the third of five siblings, all of whom are studying.
To raise funds, the family has reached out to CCEP Foundation, an NGO dedicated to assisting the needy, poor, deprived and underprivileged.
According to its CEO, Yvonne Yee, Fatin will need 25 to 30 vials of Qarziba, which will cost a total of RM578,000.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Yee shared that the foundation began fundraising on June 30 and has only raised about RM3,000 so far.
'This overwhelming medical cost is unimaginable for Fatin's family. We sincerely appeal to the kindness of the public to come forward and help her fight this battle,' said Yee.
To help Fatin, donations can be made directly to CCEP Foundation, RHB Bank account number 2621 9300 009 342. Please use the reference 'Fatin'.
If you require a receipt, kindly send them a WhatsApp message.
To request a tax-exempt receipt, please fill out your details here. Receipts will be issued within 14 working days.
Learn more about CCEP Foundation here, or contact 03-7955 9999 / 010-279 8849.