KUALA LUMPUR: A single mother of five is worried about coming up with the astronomical sum of RM60,000 needed for her teenage daughter's medical procedure.
Nur Farhani Aleesya, her 13-year-old daughter, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) in both legs, making her bones brittle and causing deformity in her left tibia and femur.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair due to severe walking issues that were present at birth, Nur Farhani's mother, Sakinah Omar, 48, has expressed a desire for her daughter to have a normal adolescent life.
"I want my daughter to be able to manage herself. She really loves going to school but it saddens me to see her condition.
"Thankfully, she has a really caring group of peers and teachers who are constantly there to push her wheelchair or assist her in the canteen," she said.
"I've lost count of how many times I've had to take Nur Farhani to the emergency room to get her leg cast because she keeps breaking it.
"I am only a housewife who sells kuih (traditional local desserts). I do get some donations from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) but overall my monthly income is only RM800.
"Even with help from my grown children, I simply cannot afford the surgery at this time.
The youngest of five siblings, she will need to undergo two operations: One on each of her thighs and another on each of her calves using osteotomy and telescopic nailing fixation.
Nur Farhani who aspires to become an accountant some day, hopes the surgeries will be a success.
Those who wish to help can send cheques made payable to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund to the Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, with the patient's name written on the reverse side of the cheque.
The public may also donate to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund through the Bank Muamalat account number 1401 0008 8427 18 or Maybank 5141 0532 3170.
Donations to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund are tax-deductible.