ISKANDAR PUTERI: Eight-year-old Danial Iman Khairul Hanif, stricken with cancer, was in high sprits as his wish to visit the Legoland Malaysia Resort here came true today.
Danial was diagnosed in 2014 with acute lympoblastic leukemia, where the bone marrow makes too many immature lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
Recalling the moment he learnt of his son’s condition, Danial's father Khairul Hanif Khairuddin, 38, said his son, the eldest of two siblings, was constantly down with fever and became tired easily.
This prompted him to send Danial for a medical check up at Hospital Universiti Kuala Lumpur.
"Upon receiving the diagnosis, my wife and I were in disbelief. We were heartbroken but accepted it as fate," Khairul told the New Straits Times.
He said Danial has since undergone numerous medical procedures including surgical procedures for appendicitis and hernia, as well as chemotherapy session.
"His chemotherapy session had to be put on hold for a while following the surgical operations in 2014 and 2015. He just completed his monthly chemotheraphy treatment last month as doctors were satisfied with the progress of his treatment," he said.
Khairul who works as a producer at a local radio station, said although his son is ill, Danial is always in high spirits and keeps his head high even though at times he looks exhausted after chemotherapy sessions and medications.
"To cheer him up, we promised him that we would take him to Legoland but his condition at the time did not permit him to travel far, until now,” he said.
Khairul said the family had planned to go to Legoland in May to celebrate Danial's birthday but had to postpone it as Danial came down with pneumonia.
"Fortunately, through the Make-A-Wish programme at the hospital, my son's dream of visiting Legoland was made possible with the doctors’ consent," he said when met at Legoland today.
Meanwhile, Danial, who was appeared shy, said he was extremely happy that he and his family were given the chance to enjoy the theme park hotel and attractions for three days.
"I went for the Ninjago ride. I like the white ninja as he looks wise," said Danial.
The Standard Two pupil of a religious school in Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, said he loves Science and the national language and wants to become a policeman when he grows up.
"I want to help the defenceless, just like what the Ninjago fighters do in the cartoon," he said.
Apart from enjoying the Ninjago Live Show and Ninjago The Ride, a 4D interactive indoor ride, Danial was also treated to a special performance by a magician donning a Jack Sparrow costume. He also got to snap selfies with Legoland's life-sized animated characters.
Danial's mother, Aida Yaty Khalid, 40, and his sister Nur Damia Iman, 6, accompanied Danial to Legoland.
"I want to thank the organiser for making my son's wish come true," said Aida Yati.
The trip to Legoland was made possible through the event organiser Theme Attractions Resort & Hotel Sdn Bhd, one of the many organisations supporting the Make-A-Wish Malaysia programme to fullfill wishes of terminally-ill children.
Theme Attractions Resort & Hotel Integrated Theme Parks & Attractions acting chief executive officer Philip Whittaker said the initiative was also part of its own Magic Moment programme.
"Magic Moment launched early this year has fulfilled about 10 wishes of children from across the country. We hoped to continue this in future where it’s our wish to create magical moments for the children," Whittaker said.