Leukaemia girl needs help

Leukaemia girl needs help
By Laviinia Dhanagunan

2008/09/10

KUALA LUMPUR: Nurul Atikah Salleh is battling for her life. The 15-year-old from Alor Star was diagnosed with acute leukaemia and needs RM160,000 to ensure her survival.The money will be used to buy a cord blood unit from a cord blood bank overseas as well as for the operation scheduled at University Malaya Medical Centre in November.

"We didn't suspect anything when she had a fever in November last year.

"However, when the fever went on for more than a month, we admitted her to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah and eight days later, the doctors did a bone marrow test and confirmed that she had leukaemia," said her mother, Jamilah Saad.

Unfortunately, Atikah's sibling did not have her B-positive blood type for a bone marrow transplant. Doctors had also advised her against going to school due to her weak immune system. The family survives on RM450 monthly.

"We are getting RM300 a month from the National Cancer Council (Makna)."

She said last April, the Alor Star Welfare Department stopped the RM80 monthly aid for the family because the department felt the assistance from Makna was sufficient.

Those who wish to help Nurul Atikah can send cheques, made payable to The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, with her name written on the reverse, to: The Cashier, Finance Department/Charity Unit, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
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