Malaysian toddler with ovarian cancer gets $9,000 in public donations for treatment

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Doctors there detected a 13.5cm-long tumour, and after a surgery on Oct 2, they confirmed that Daneen had stage three ovarian cancer.

Nineteen-month-old Daneen was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer, which required immediate surgery.

PHOTO: JABATAN BOMBA DAN PENYELAMAT MALAYSIA NEGERI SABAH/FACEBOOK

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PETALING JAYA – The future of a 19-month-old girl in Sabah looked grim after

she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer

, but Malaysians have come together to raise RM30,000 (S$9,000) for the toddler.

Malay-language daily Sinar Harian reported that according to Daneen Auni Riksi’s mother, Ms Fallarystia Sintom, the baby began suffering from constipation and a bloated stomach in August.

“She became less active and frequently wanted to be carried whenever she cried in pain as she couldn’t speak yet.

“We originally took her to the hospital but doctors could not diagnose her illness.

“After a sudden dip in her blood readings, she was referred to the Sabah Women and Children Hospital, where they found a 13.5cm tumour,” Ms Fallarystia said.

She said the doctor then diagnosed Daneen with stage three ovarian cancer, which required immediate surgery.

Ms Fallarystia said Daneen has since undergone a successful operation to remove the tumour, but still needs to undergo expensive chemotherapy treatment.

Initially distraught at the cost of the treatment, Ms Fallarystia and her husband Riksi Tahir now have renewed hope after Malaysians banded together to donate more than RM30,000.

“Some have been channelling funds to us since news of Daneen was first reported and many are still messaging us.

“Although we do not have an estimate on how much chemotherapy will cost, the doctor suggested that we collect the funds first as it can reach the thousands, including long-term needs,” Ms Fallarystia told Sinar Harian on Oct 10.

Ms Fallarystia added that Daneen’s chemotherapy treatment had just concluded, but her baby remained under observation to ensure the treatment is successful. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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