Charity : Air Itam school raises funds for cancer patients

GEORGE TOWN: During the Christmas celebration last year, tragedy struck for 10-year-old student Lau Yan Ni who collapsed and was subsequently diagnosed with leukaemia.

She is now required to undergo daily chemotherapy for two years.


Lighter burden: Yan Ni with her mother and her three-year-old sister Lau Yan Rou
after they received a donation of RM15,000 raised by teachers and students
of SJK (C) Sin Kang in Air Itam.

Her mother Lim May Choo, 38, said her husband as family breadwinner was unable to continue working as a lorry driver as he had to take Lau to the hospital daily while she stayed home with their other daughter, aged three.

As a result of the treatment, Lau is no longer able to attend school.

Her plight drew the attention of her school SJK(C) Sin Kang in Air Itam, and the teachers and students raised RM15,000 within 10 days for her.

“I feel thankful for the generosity as we are facing hardship with the family expenses,” said Lim at a press conference at the school premises here yesterday.

The teachers and students also raised another RM15,000 during the same period for another student Kelly Au Hoey Min’s father, Au Kong Soon, 49, who was diagnosed with nose and throat cancer in January.

Au’s wife Gan Mimi, 35, expressed relief with the donation as they had four young children to support.

“My husband can’t work as he is now hospitalised and undergoing treatment,” she said.

State Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai also donated RM1,500 from his Air Itam state constituency fund to each family.