Cancer patient Noor Asyikin appeals for funds to continue chemo treatment
KUCHING: A 35-year- old homemaker is appealing to the community for donations to help her undergo treatment to fight Stage 4 sigmoid cancer.
Noor Asyikin Ismail, who was diagnosed with the disease last year, needs about RM106,110 to buy a specialised drug for colon metastasis treatment ( Erbitux/ Cetuximab) recommended by the specialist at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Met at The Borneo Post’s office here yesterday, she said she has to buy the drug from the pharmacy while also undergoing chemotherapy at SGH.
“The drug used for my previous chemo sessions did not work well, so the doctor recommended the specialised drug, which I have to buy from the pharmacy because SGH does not have it.
“The doctor said I need at least 12 cycles of chemo using Erbitux/ Cetuximab. There are still nine cycles to go.
“I need RM11,790 to buy the specialised drug for each cycle. For the forthcoming cycle, I am short of money and the doctor has advised me to get the treatment immediately,” she said.
Noor Asyikin added that she and her husband had only RM6,000 to meet the cost of the treatment.
She said she has spent a total of RM35,370 for the three cycles of chemotherapy since last month, adding her husband Abdul Hadi Hasbi, 35, earns RM1,900 a month
She said they had to seek other sources of income to enable her to undergo the remaining chemotherapy sessions.
Abdul Hadi, who works at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas), said he is grateful that the university had helped to raise RM15,256 for them.
“But this amount is still not enough. So my husband borrowed money from his relatives and friends as well as using his savings,” she said.
On her disease, Noor Asyikin said it did not occur to her that the abdominal pain, which she first thought was gastric pain, could turn out to be sigmoid cancer.
In June last year, the doctor informed her of the Stage 4 sigmoid cancer with metastasis to her liver and lungs.
She said she has had to remain strong for the sake of their three children – aged three, seven and nine – while also staying positive and trying to get all the help she can to fight the disease.
“It is my greatest hope that I will recover as my children need me. I hope the public will donate and help me undergo the remaining chemo sessions.”
She is presently living with her parents in Kampung Semariang Batu in order to receive her chemotherapy at SGH.
Members of the public who want to contribute can contact Abdul Hadi on 016- 8597475.