KUCHING: A mother and daughter in Kuching, both battling life-threatening cancers, are facing an uphill struggle as they fight for their lives while dealing with mounting financial pressures.
Although Hope Place Kuching has provided the family with food aid and school supplies, the financial support they need to survive is still lacking.
Rabunah Sahawi, 45, and her 67-year-old mother, Jeliha Busrah, are both undergoing chemotherapy, with limited support and resources, leaving them in desperate need of urgent assistance.
Rabunah, a single mother of three and the primary breadwinner working as a canteen assistant, saw her health rapidly deteriorate late last year with persistent coughing, extreme fatigue, and weakness, eventually leading to her diagnosis of stage 3 lymphoma in December after several tests.
The family’s hardships worsened when, just days later, Jeliha, her 67-year-old mother, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Both women, now undergoing chemotherapy at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), are struggling financially due to mounting medical bills and transportation costs for their treatments.
With Rabunah too ill to work and the family’s only income coming from a RM400 monthly welfare allowance, they have struggled to meet basic living expenses, relying on their eldest daughter, 19-year-old Faeza, to care for both her mother and grandmother while also looking after her two younger siblings, aged seven and 14, sending them to school, preparing meals, and maintaining the household despite the overwhelming challenges she faces.
Rabunah’s 14-year-old son, Syakir, has been a source of strength for the family, excelling academically despite the difficult circumstances, and Rabunah hopes his dedication to his studies will one day improve their situation.
In a plea for help, Rabunah and her family have turned to the public for support, as the financial strain has become unbearable, with transportation costs to and from chemotherapy sessions adding to their burden.
Hope Place is now urging the public to consider donating to help alleviate the family’s suffering during this incredibly difficult time.
Contributions can be made to the following bank account: MBB: 511289001160, or via the Sarawak Pay/S PAY GLOBAL QR code available on Hope Place’s Facebook page.
Receipts will be provided upon request.
For those who wish to reach out, Hope Place can be contacted at their office phone number 082-505987 or via mobile at 013-5672775.
