KUCHING: The Azmi Foundation is still about RM30,000 short of the targetted sum of RM100,000 to ensure 11-year-old Mohd Azmi Ali from Kampung Sinar Budi Baru here will have a successful cancer treatment in Guangzhou Nanyang Tumour Hospital in China.

The boy and his father flew to China last week for an initial treatment and would be there for 45 days, a committee member of the fundraiser Margare Tonek told reporters here yesterday.

“To date, we’ve raised about RM70,000,” she said, thanking all donors on behalf of the foundation and Azmi’s family.

Earlier, Margare received a cheque for RM2,000 on behalf of Azmi Foundation from Chiang Chuan Kuching Association which collected donations from association members and the public.

The initial treatment for Azmi costs between RM40,000 and RM60,000 and the boy will be required to undergo further follow-up treatments - each treatment is estimated to cost RM10,000.

Azmi was diagnosed with congenital tumour of blood vessel since birth.

The deadly tumour, a hideous mass on the left side of his abdomen, is growing in size and will engulf other parts of his frail body in years to come if they were not treated. The size and nature of the tumour is causing tremendous pressure and strain on the veins of his pelvic girdle and is affecting the development of his spinal cord.

Azmi’s father, Ali Enen, who works as a store assistant in a factory, does not have the means to send his eldest son for treatment at private hospitals, whether locally or overseas.

With a monthly income of about RM700, the father of four has to look after his elderly mother, wife and children - the youngest being two years old.

Therefore, Inti College Sarawak (ICS) and Treat Dairies Sdn Bhd (Ali’s employer) set up the Azmi Foundation to raise funds for the series of treatments.

The Guangzhou Nanyang Tumour Hospital is providing free accommodat-ion during the treatment as well as return air fare for Azmi. Members of the public who wish to donate are advised to do so through the Azmi Foundation bank account at Maybank and the account no. is 511234011393.

Any excess fund after Azmi’s treatment will be channeled to assist other children suffering from various forms of cancer and tumour.

For further inform-ation or queries, contact Margare at 082-570888 ext 602 or Kuching Autistic Association assistant secretary who is also the foundation’s committee member, Tracy Ling at 016-8663363.