Blood cancer patient pleads for help to cover medication costs

Nurhidayah Sahdun, a 23-year-old woman from Maran, Malaysia, is appealing for public help to fund her immunotherapy treatment for stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma. She faces substantial costs for a drug that offers a higher response rate for her condition.

Diagnosed in April, Nurhidayah initially underwent chemotherapy. However, severe toxic side effects made the first-line treatment unsuitable. Medical specialists at Darul Makmur Medical Centre then recommended Nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, which has shown a high response rate for Hodgkin Lymphoma patients who cannot tolerate conventional chemotherapy.

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However, the Nivolumab drug is not covered by the hospital and must be purchased by the patient themselves. The cost for one round of treatment is estimated to reach RM9,000, an amount that is very burdensome for our family.

The challenge lies in the drug's cost: approximately RM9,000 per round, a sum the family cannot afford. Nurhidayah's father, Sahdun Tan Said, 67, is unable to work after suffering a stroke, and her mother, Rosnah Mohamad, 59, is a homemaker. They previously relied on the father's village work and private sector employment, but his current health prevents them from meeting the treatment expenses.

Nurhidayah is currently receiving treatment at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan. Her condition is weakening, requiring assistance with mobility. The family is relying on the generosity of the public to help cover the costs of the medication and treatment for their youngest daughter. Donations can be made to Maybank account 156020516088 under the name Nurhidayah Sahdun, or by contacting Sahdun at 018-262 4311.

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With the current situation, we are truly unable to provide that much money to continue our daughter's treatment.