Afran

Afran Bin Abid hails from Sarikei, Sarawak, known for his toothy grin and rosy cheeks whenever posing for the camera. His mother recounts their story of travelling all the way to Kuching after finding out about his diagnosis:

The Symptoms
Afran, my lovely little boy, has always been full of energy. Whether he’s playing games on the phone or tossing around his favourite toy ball, he’s never bored for long. And when it comes to his cravings—KFC fried chicken or nuggets—he’s never shy about letting us know!

In early 2023, I started noticing troubling changes. Afran was getting sick more often, with fevers almost every month, and his once bright complexion turned pale. What concerned me most were the bruises that seemed to appear too easily on his legs. Worried, I took him for a checkup at the Sarikei polyclinic, but they only gave him antibiotics, reassuring us it wasn’t serious.

However, things didn’t feel right, so I took Afran to the emergency room in Sarikei Hospital. Pea-sized lumps had begun to form on his body. From there, we were sent to Sibu Hospital, where tests revealed Afran had contracted Covid-19. He was admitted for two weeks, but when his platelet count didn’t improve, the doctors suspected something more serious: blood cancer. Without delay, Afran was transferred to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching.

Adjusting to Life During Treatment
Within a day, we were in an ambulance heading to Kuching. The news sent shockwaves through our family. Some relatives even blamed me, suggesting I was somehow responsible for Afran’s condition. We stayed in Kuching for three weeks while doctors took a bone marrow sample. The result was devastating: Afran had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), and chemotherapy began immediately.

After some time, we were able to return home to Sibu to continue Afran’s treatment, staying at my father’s house. But after two months with little improvement, we found ourselves back in Kuching, as Afran’s condition remained unstable.

Adjusting to life during treatment was a challenge. Afran, once my little ball of sunshine, became moody and irritable, often throwing tantrums—a side effect of the medication. I felt guilty every time I scolded him, knowing the burden he was carrying. The hardest part was being separated from the rest of our family, especially his little sister, who was only 8 months old when we first left for Kuching.

Support from the Community
During our stay at the hospital, I was introduced to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) and the incredible services they offer. Afran, only four at the time, was too young to grasp the seriousness of his illness, but SCCS was there for us every step of the way. They provided accommodation, financial aid, and arranged activities to keep Afran entertained. They also offered counselling sessions to help me cope.

The SCCS Halfway Home became a sanctuary for us, and meeting other parents who were going through similar experiences was a blessing. Knowing I wasn’t alone, that there were others who understood the exhaustion, the emotional toll—it was a comfort I hadn’t expected.

My husband was also my rock during this time, encouraging me not to listen to hurtful remarks and reminding me to trust the doctors and focus on getting Afran better.

SCCS didn’t just provide financial support—they gave us moments of joy, organising outings, shopping trips, and movie trips. Their support services helped us navigate the emotional maze of this journey, with regular counselling sessions and support groups for parents.

“We call him Acheh—a nickname his mum uses often,” says Shu Shan, one of the SCCS counsellors. “Acheh is a sweet boy, though he can be a handful when he’s on medication. He’s active, always smiling for the camera, and enjoys his time at the hospital school. He loves the playroom too, especially when he’s with Cikgu Xin Yi or Cikgu Trisha.”

“He’s such a sweet and caring boy. Once he gets comfortable with you, he loves sharing stories and becomes incredibly affectionate. Every time I visited, he would climb onto my lap, always looking for a cuddle. My most cherished memory is from one day when we were playing together—he suddenly came over, gave me a big hug, and kissed me. It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” says Xin Yi.

The Latest Update
Today, Afran has completed his active cancer treatment and has finally returned home to Sibu, reunited with his family. Though follow-up visits to the hospital are still part of his life, both Afran and I are overjoyed to be home at last.

From Afran’s mother: “I just hope Afran continues to stay happy and healthy.”

SARAWAK CHILDREN'S CANCER SOCIETY