IPOH: The family of a former SMJK Sam Tet student battling bone cancer is appealing to the public for donations to help with her treatment.

       Production controller Wan Wai Kin, 51, said her daughter Teh Xin Tong was diagnosed with Stage Four bone cancer last year.

       The family has exhausted almost all its savings to pay for her treatment in Kuala Lumpur and other related expenses.

       Wan said she has borrowed about RM150,000 from friends and family, while her daughter’s school helped raise about RM60,000.

       “All the money has been used up, including the RM30,000 that I withdrew from my Employees Provident Fund.

       In urgent need of funds: Xin Tong (in wheelchair) and her parents, Teh (left) and Wan are appealing to the public to give from their heart for her cancer treatment. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star

       “We can’t borrow from our friends and families any more. We’re hoping that the public will help us,” she said during a press conference organised by Perak MCA public services and complaints bureau chief Low Guo Nan, here, yesterday.

       “Apart from our daughter’s medical expenses, we also have other commitments, including our home and car loans, my in-laws’ medical expenses and other debts,” she added.

       Wan said she used to earn about RM3,800 but her earnings will drop by half starting this month as she will need to work from home to care for her daughter.

       “My company has been very helpful from the start and I truly understand the situation.

       “My husband is also helping to care for our daughter and only works for about 10 days, earning about RM1,000 a month as a machinist,” she said.

       Wan said her daughter needs to go through nearly six months of chemotherapy.

       “It will cost us about RM5,000 per trip to Kuala Lumpur. The expenses include treatment, ward admission and our accommodation.

       “We will need to go to Kuala Lumpur at least three times a month,” she said, adding that the cancer cells have spread to her daughter’s backbone and pelvis.

       “The doctor has also recommended that we start a new treatment programme for my daughter, but we have yet to be informed of how much it will cost,” she added.

       In between sobs, Wan said her heart breaks seeing her daughter in this listless state.

       “She is constantly in pain and all she can do is bear with it until her next chemotherapy session.

       “She wanted so much to go to university. Her ambition was to become an actuary,” said Wan, adding that she has another daughter studying in New Zealand on a full scholarship.

       She said her daughter also goes for acupuncture to relieve the pain and strengthen her immune system, which costs about RM200 daily.

       “We can see some improvement in her general well-being and feel that it would be good to continue with it so she can withstand the chemotherapy treatment,” she added.

       Low estimates Wan’s family will need at least RM200,000 to continue the cancer treatment.

       “I will help them apply for some money from MCA’s medical funds to ease their burden. Those wanting to help can contact me at 012-532 1128 and I will pass them Wan’s bank account number,” he said.