Group helps prepare children with cancer for school
KUALA LUMPUR: Ten-year-old cancer patient Muhammad Amirul Haikal Razali can’t wait for the new school term to start next week.
He had to stop his schooling in February after being diagnosed with blood cancer, and recently completed his chemotherapy treatment at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (HKL).
“I want to study, enjoy break time with my friends, talk to them.
“I don’t like it when I don’t go to school.
“I am just at home, doing nothing and I miss my friends,” said the plucky boy, whose ambition is to be a soldier.
Muhammad Amirul was one of more than 140 children feted in the Back to School programme organised by the Parents and Supporters of Children With Cancer Group (KIDS).
Six-year-old Suci Nurr Qaisara Mohd Sofaa Raazie, who spent half her life in HKL as she has a rare
Protein C deficiency disease, was pleased with the new school bag that she received.
“I’m excited to go to school, I want to be a doctor,” said Suci.
Her mother, Nordiana Ibrahim, 32, said the support from other parents in KIDS was important as Suci is the only person in Malaysia to have the disease.
“When you are dealing with a child who has this, you sometimes feel down and with a community like this, you get the moral support you need,” said Nordiana.
KIDS president Hamidah Tajudin said the programme was held to help motivate the children for the new school year.
“During treatment, they will face a lot of challenges so we try to keep their spirits up to look forward to go back to school after their treatment ends,” said Hamidah.
Having a child who has been battling cancer for five years, she said she empathised with children with cancer and parents who have children suffering from the disease.
Actress Diana Danielle, whose mother had faced cancer, was also present at the event.