Well-wishers rallied instantly to donate toward the medical treatment of Alzheimer’s disease-stricken “Piano Man” Ooi Eow Jin, 84, and his son who needs brain tumour surgery. Both father and son are bed-ridden.

Ooi’s wife Elaine Khaw, 82, thanked donors for their generosity, saying it has given her strength “to provide the best for my husband and son”.

She also promptly informed the hospital that she was close to getting the RM65,000 needed for her son Chin Seng’s operation.

Chin Seng, 56, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 14. The tumour has grown bigger and caused a loss of vision.

Meanwhile, Ooi is in a losing fight with Alzheimer’s disease, and is on baby food.

With the help of a caregiver, Elaine has been taking care of both men.

Ooi was part of national broadcaster Radio Television Malaysia’s (RTM) Orchestra, as a composer-songwriter in the 1960s and 70s.

He had collaborated with entertainers such P Ramlee, Sudirman Arshad, Rafeah Buang, M Nasir, Salamiah Hassan, Francis Yip and the Alleycats.

He was resident pianist at Kuala Lumpur’s Majestic Hotel for five years until the illness forced him to quit in 2015.

The public can still contribute to Elaine by making a direct deposit into her bank account: Khaw Lean Kee, Maybank Account 1626 8302 3797.

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