Latest news with #CCEPFoundation
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Diagnosed with rare cancer, Fatin Umairah Azme needs your help
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.
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
6-month-old Hana needs funds for urgent liver transplant
Hana Chin, who has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, needs to undergo a liver transplant within the next three months. (CCEP Foundation pics) PETALING JAYA : At just six months old, Hana Chin is already fighting for her life. She has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare disease in which the bile ducts in her liver are blocked. This causes bile to build up, damaging the liver beyond repair. To survive, baby Hana urgently needs a liver transplant – a procedure that comes with the daunting cost of RM250,000 for her family. Her mother, Toy Ka Wei, recalls how this harrowing journey began. 'When she was born, I was overjoyed. I remember holding her for the first time, watching her tiny fingers wrap around mine,' Toy said. Like all new mothers, Toy thought she had a lifetime ahead with her firstborn. But just weeks later, her world came crashing down. After completing her confinement period, Toy took her daughter in for routine vaccinations. It was then that a nurse noticed Hana was visibly jaundiced. 'At first, I thought it was the usual newborn yellowing,' Toy said. A subsequent blood test revealed her bilirubin levels were far higher than they should be for her age. 'We were then told her liver was likely inflamed. We were referred from one hospital to another and, after more tests, the doctors gave us the diagnosis: biliary atresia.' When she was only 48 days old, Hana underwent her first major surgery, known as the Kasai procedure, to help her liver drain bile and prevent further damage. Sadly, the surgery didn't work – and Hana's liver is now deteriorating fast. 'The doctors have told us we only have a window of three months to get her the lifesaving liver transplant she needs. Any longer and her condition may become too severe for surgery,' said Toy. 'The thought of losing her before she even learns to walk or say her first word breaks me,' she added. Hana's parents are urgently appealing for help to raise RM250,000 for her liver transplant. (CCEP Foundation pic) Thankfully, Toy has been identified as a compatible donor for her daughter. Hana has been referred to Renji Hospital in Shanghai, a leading paediatric transplant centre with one of the highest success rates in the world. However, the cost – which covers surgery, pre-operative tests and post-operative care – is beyond what the family can afford. 'My husband works in customer service, earning around RM6,000 a month, and we are now relying solely on his salary. With our daughter's growing medical needs, we're struggling to make ends meet,' Toy shared. She explained that she had to stop working after her daughter was born to care for her full-time. 'What started as maternity leave became a daily commitment of managing her feeds, medication, and hospital appointments. 'Now that she's critically ill and hospitalised, I'm by her side every day and I can't imagine being anywhere else.' To raise the funds, they have the help of CCEP Foundation, an NGO that helps the poor, needy, deprived and underprivileged. According to its CEO, Yvonne Yee, fundraising began on May 17, and as of May 20, they have successfully raised RM30,000. Much more is needed, and time is of the essence. 'We are humbly reaching out to ask for your help. Your donation, no matter the amount, will go directly towards giving my daughter the medical treatment she urgently needs to survive,' Toy concluded. To help Hana, donations can be made directly to CCEP Foundation, RHB Bank account number 2621 9300 009 342. Please use the reference 'Hana Chin'. If you require a receipt, kindly send a WhatsApp message. Learn more about CCEP Foundation here, or contact 03-7955 9999 / 010-279 8849.
