Cancer-stricken girl gets to be firefighter for a day

KUALA LUMPUR: Ten-year-old cancer stricken Harith Maisara Mohd Rizal’s wish to be a firefighter was fulfilled.

Harith Maisara, who suffers from acute myeloid leukaemia, was made an honorary firefighter for a day at the Jalan Hang Tuah Fire Station yesterday where she got to ride on a fire engine and even put out flames at the Firemen Training Centre here.

Clad in the Fire and Rescue Department’s uniform and helmet, Harith Maisara, who initially looked a little overwhelmed by the attention, was all smiles after getting off the fire engine.

Her mother, Suhana Sanuri, 44, fought back tears when she thanked the fire department and non-governmental organisation Make A Wish Malaysia that helped organise the event.

“It was been a difficult test for us and her after her diagnosis in October last year but today she forgot about all that,” she said after the event

“I want to thank everyone of you for helping to make this a reality for her,” Suhana added.

Harith Maisara, who turned 10 on Friday, was also presented with a cake by a group of firemen including Fire Prevention Council Malaysia national chairman and former Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Soh Chai Hock and Federal Territory Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman.

Suhana said Harith Maisara was always curious about things that are out of the ordinary like fires.

“Slowly she turned her ambition to become a firefighter someday,” she said.

Harith Maisara has undergone four cycles of chemotherapy from January to April this year and is said to be in remission.

“She is currently undergoing follow-up treatment at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre and has even started going back to school,” Suhana said.

The event was also attended by students from Garden International School.