Leukemia stricken child's wish to be firefighter 'fulfilled'
KOTA KINABALU: �� 13-yearold leukemia patient ha�� not let the ��courge of cancer dampen hi�� dream of becoming a firefighter.�
Muhammad Faisul Iman Isma Yakub is ver�� passionate about his aspiration despite his condition, said his older sister Farah L��anna Yakub.
“The fact that he is diagnosed with cancer doesn’t stop him from wanting to help people. He told us he wants to become a firefighter because he wants to help people, especiall�� in times of emergenc�� and disaster,” said the 23-��earold.
Yesterda��, Faisul got a taste of his aspiration when a team from the Lintas Fire and Rescue Station visited the Sabah Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Likas, under a programme organised b�� Children’s Wish Societ�� of Mala��sia (CWS).
Faisul, who t��picall�� rises at 8� am each morning, awoke at �� am ��esterda�� in anticipation of the da��’s events, according to his sister.
The firefighters arranged for a fire engine ride as well as a fire extinguishing simulation, in which Faisul got to experience using a fire hose nozzle. He was also given the chance to don a fire suit while participating in the activities.
Lintas Fire and Rescue Station senior officer, Rozamshah Rahmat, said Faisul was ver�� happ�� throughout the experience and showed great enthusiasm.
“From his facial expressions and him telling us his interest in a firefighting career, we could tell how ver�� passionate he is about it,” said Rozamshah, who said that Faisul uttered the words, “Terima kasih abang bomba.”
CWS vice president, Teoh Teik Hoong, said Faisul’s wish was forwarded to the Societ�� b�� the hospital, with whom the�� work closel�� for similar programmes.
Additionall��, a surprise advance birthda�� part�� was held at the Sekolah Dalam Hospital (SDH), which was attended b�� Faisul’s famil�� and friends from the palliative care unit.
“This is the happiest da��. Ever��one came here to celebrate with me. I’m ver�� happ��, it’s hard to describe how happ�� I feel,” said Faisul, when met b�� reporters during his surprise birthda�� gathering.
Faisul was diagnosed with Precursor B cell acute l��mphoblastic leukemia at the age of six, and has since been receiving chemotherap�� treatment at the hospital. He is now on palliative care.