Couple quits job to care for cancer-stricken daughter

BAGAN SERAI: Shahrul Asyraf Sharuddin, 31, and his wife Syamimi Athirah Sanusi, 28, had to quit their jobs to care for their only child, Saffiya Aisyah, four, who is suffering from muscle cancer.

Shahrul Asyraf quit his job at a fast food restaurant here while his wife quit her factory job in Batu Kawan, Penang because they have to commute to the Penang Hospital for their daughter’s treatment.

He said Saffiya Aisyah, who was diagnosed with the cancer last year, also needs to take a blood test twice a day at a nearby clinic here.

"My daughter was diagnosed with muscle cancer when she was three and had undergone a surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor in her right thigh but there was another tumor in the upper thigh.

"Since last August, Safiyya Aisyah has had to undergo chemotherapy three times a month at the Penang Hospital," he said when met at his home after receiving a visit from the Friend of Childhood Cancer Northern-M (FOCCAN) and Friend of Bagan Serai Parliament Constituency at Kampong Parit Haji Husin near here yesterday.

Shahrul Asyraf said currently, he sells kuih and nasi lemak at the Bagan Serai Public Market with a net income of RM 50 a day to cover daily expenses as well as treatment costs including disposable diapers and special milk for Safiyya Aisyah.

Meanwhile, FOCCAN chairman Maznah Taiyib said the family was provided with initial assistance such as cash as well as special milk and disposable diapers for Safiyya Aisyah.

Members of the public who wish to help the girl may make donations through Shahrul Asyraf’s Maybank account number ‪1582 4852‬ 1779 or contact ‪011-36029498‬ or ‪013-9028029‬.

--BERNAMA