12-year-old needs funds fast for liver op
KUALA LUMPUR: Chronic liver patient C. Tharuna aspires to be a teacher like her mother.
But the Year Six student of SJK (T) Batu Caves may never achieve her dream if she doesn’t recover from her illness.
The 12-year-old was diagnosed with chronic liver disease when she was only two years old and has so far undergone 13 medical tests in India.
MIC Youth chief Datuk C. Sivaraajh said Tharuna needs a new liver urgently.
The girl is the eldest child of R. Chandran, 42, an operations executive in a private company, and K. Kogilawani, 37, a teacher in her daughter’s school.
Sivaraajh said the family had so far spent about RM100,000 for Tharuna’s medical expenses at a hospital in Chennai.
“The family had sought treatment at the Selayang Hospital but were told they had to wait for a lengthy period for a liver transplant and decided to seek treatment in India,” said Sivaraajh.
“The hospital has agreed to undertake the liver transplant operation with her father as the main donor,” he told reporters Monday.
He said the MIC Youth has launched a fund-raising campaign to help the girl so that the operation could be done as soon as possible.
“The family needs about RM350,000 for the pre- and post-treatment as well as the operation.
“The family needs to stay there for a few weeks when undergoing the treatment,” he added.
Sivaraajh said the family raised
Sivaraajh having a word with Tharuna at the press conference. Looking on are (from left) mother Kogilawani, MIC Youth secretary Arvind Krishnan and Young Professional bureau head Kishva Ambigapathy.
RM120,000 and there was still another RM230,000 to go.
“A businessman has agreed to donate RM50,000. MIC is also asking corporate figures to lend their support,” he added.
Tharuna said she wanted to be like other normal children.
“I just want to be healthy so that I can continue my studies and enjoy life,” said Tharuna. “And, if I could, I would like to be a teacher like
my mum.”
Donations can be deposited into Tharuna’s Alliance Bank account number 120880020113744, under the name Tharuna A/P Chandran. It is jointly managed by the MIC Youth and the family.
Cheques could also be sent to the MIC Youth headquarters at the seventh floor of Menara Manikavasagam at No 1, Jalan Rahmat, 50350 Kuala Lumpur.