A baby in Malaysia was recently diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, a rare genetic disease. The disease affects his muscles and his ability to breathe.
While there is no cure, there are treatment options available. However, they are extremely costly.
His parents are seeking to raise RM 9 million (S$2.7 million) to fund his treatment. You can extend your help by donating here.
Baby Athif, who recently turned one, was diagnosed with SMA type 1 shortly after birth. SMA is a rare genetic disease that affects muscles used for movement.
As time passed, Athif’s muscles became weaker and he now relies on a breathing aid to survive.
The doctors informed his family that the disease has no cure. If he does not undergo treatment, it will be difficult for him to survive past the age of two.
The most effective treatment would be to opt for Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy that may halt and potentially reverse the effects of the disease.
Unfortunately, the treatment is expensive and costs about RM 9.72 million (S$2.91 million)
As such, the family has opted for a temporary treatment with Risdiplam, a daily medication that costs RM40,400 (S$7,830) per bottle.
Furthermore, each bottle of medication only lasts for 50 days.
In order to fund Athif’s treatment, the family has set up a crowdfunding campaign on Give.asia in hopes that people will give their support to save the baby’s life.
The family is hoping to raise RM 9 million (S$2.7 million) to cover the costs of the Zolgensma therapy and other related expenses,
Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal and gives us hope that our baby can live a long and healthy life.
At the time of writing, the family has raised slightly more than RM250,000 (S$75,264), with an additional RM100,000 (S$30,105) raised offline.
It is truly unfortunate that Athif has to go through such pain at an extremely young age.
If you would like to support Athif and his family, you can send in your donations on Give.asia.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image courtesy of Nadira Mohsin.
Earlier this year, three managers were found to have made manual updates on a customer’s…
On the other hand, some said they'd prefer sitting next to a massive dog than…
Some sustained injuries after jumping from windows, while others starved to death.
A record of more than 553,000 travellers crossed both checkpoints on 13 Dec.
There has been no year-end Covid-19 wave, as had been expected.
The beef was imported without a veterinary health certificate and halal certification.