We Are Families Helping Families

Meet Rickeel Harzy. He got cancer when he was only 14 years old. Rickeel and his mother shared their story with us:

“I started noticing bruises on Rickeel’s body. He was also experiencing gum pain and was easily irritated. Rickeel looked pale and was feeling tired all the time. He was slowly losing his appetite and didn’t feel like eating at all.”    

Rickeel Harzy’s mother was concerned when she noticed these symptoms arising on a supposedly active 14-year-old boy. She brought him to the Miri Hospital for a check-up, where he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

They were immediately referred to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching for further consultations, scans and treatments. Having no families and relatives in Kuching, Rickeel and his mother stayed at Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society’s halfway home.

“The most difficult time for me was every time Rickeel had to undergo his treatment. As a parent, you feel sad and stressed when you see your son unwell and in pain but are not able to do anything to ease his pain.”

“Faith, hope and prayers were my biggest strength to navigate through the uncertainties that come along in this difficult journey. Relatives and friends afar also supported us financially and emotionally.”

Rickeel’s mother was able to find further encouragement and comfort from medical and support services staff as well as outstation families residing at the Kuching halfway home who were going through a similar situation. These families became her physical support system.

“We are grateful to the doctors and nurses who have shown so much patience and dedication in caring for Rickeel when he was sick. During these difficult times, SCCS has been such a great help to our family. We were provided with a comfortable place to stay for free at their Kuching halfway home. Our meals were taken care of. We didn’t have to worry about our daily transportation to the hospital because everything was arranged nicely for us. SCCS even helped us financially and their staff was so helpful to us.”

After eight months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in SGH, Rickeel completed his intensive treatment in May 2022 and was able to return to his hometown Miri with his mother for the Gawai festival. Rickeel is now undergoing his treatment in the Miri Hospital.

“To all the families out there whose children are suffering from cancer, keep your spirits up and keep fighting with patience and hope. Continue to care for your child because we are their biggest source of strength during the hard times. If we continue to stay positive for them, they will keep fighting and never give up.”

You can help kids like Rickeel, from as low as RM30/month

Sign up for our Heart of Gold Monthly Donation Programme to help ensure more kids like Rickeel get access to the medical treatment and care they need to get better.

Childhood cancer is treatable, and your support can help save lives.