For five-year-old Chong Mei Eng, life has been anything but carefree since she was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) in 2023.
This condition occurs when the bone marrow produces an excessive number of abnormal B-lymphocytes – white blood cells responsible for fighting infections – which can accumulate in the blood and marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells. This potentially results in anaemia, low platelet counts, and other complications.
For over a year, Mei Eng bravely endured chemotherapy. Although her life was different than most other children’s, her parents, Chong Teck Hin and Chin Quee Keong, were relieved that she was on the road to recovery.
But on the night of Dec 12 last year, her mother noticed a sudden swelling on one side of Mei Eng’s face. The little girl cried non-stop, couldn’t sleep and refused milk. She later developed a mild fever.
Her family rushed her to the hospital in the early hours of the morning. After a series of tests, they received the devastating diagnosis: Mei Eng’s leukaemia had returned.
Now, in addition to chemotherapy, Mei Eng urgently requires a bone marrow transplant, without which her condition is expected to deteriorate rapidly.
Thankfully, Mei Eng’s oldest sister has been identified as a compatible donor, but the transplant and chemotherapy medication will cost some RM126,610 – a sum far beyond what her parents can afford.
Teck Hin, 48, works as an air-conditioner technician in Singapore and earns a modest income to support his family. His wife, 44, is a homemaker.
Their oldest, 21, works as a clerk and draws a salary of around RM1,000 per month. Their second daughter, 18, only recently completed her secondary school education.
Having exhausted their financial resources, the couple turned to Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia (formerly Persatuan Kebajikan Amal Da Ai) – a non-governmental organisation that helps individuals and families going through difficult times through crowdfunding and other means.
In 2023, the organisation raised RM52,000 to fund Mei Eng’s chemotherapy. Now, they are once again rallying to help the family.
“We started crowdfunding on April 18,” NGO president Symphony Tan told FMT Lifestyle at their premises in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, adding that as of April 29, they have raised RM17,012.
In a video posted on the organisation’s Facebook page, Mei Eng’s mother says: “Even the doctor couldn’t tell me why (the leukaemia) relapsed so quickly. The doctor said the earliest relapse usually happens after 1.5 years. But my daughter relapsed after just one year and two months.
“It’s been incredibly stressful for me,” Chin adds. “I don’t know if she will recover. Will she stay with me for a lifetime? I really don’t know. It’s hard to even imagine these things.”
Mei Eng’s family, together with the organisation, is now appealing for your support. “This is a very urgent case. We want to help this little girl so she can have hope for the future,” Tan added.
If you’d like to help, contact case worker Celine Ng at 010-218 6816 or email [email protected].
Learn more about Persatuan Kebajikan Talian Hayat Kehidupan Malaysia via its website.