Lim wants to donate part of her liver to Natalie and hopes generous donors will enable the surgery to be performed at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre as soon as possible.
A MOTHER’S love knows no bounds.
When advised that her daughter Natalie Soo Lok Min needed a liver transplant, Lim Jia Hui offered to donate part of her own.
“My liver is suitable for the transplant and I am ready any time as I want my daughter to be healthy and live a normal life like other children,” said the 33-year-old single mother from Menglembu, Ipoh in Perak.
Natalie, eight, suffers from biliary atresia with decompensated liver disease. She was diagnosed with the condition when she was only 58 days old.
Since then, she has undergone several surgical procedures but her condition worsened after the last surgery in 2020.
Due to her reduced liver function, Natalie’s body and eyes have turned yellow.
To prevent further complications, doctors recommended that she undergo a liver transplant – which will cost approximately RM140,000 – as soon as possible.
“Natalie is a well-behaved child.
“Although she is not well, she will take care of me when I am sick. She is my angel sent by God.
“She doesn’t know what a liver transplant entails.
“I told her she had worms in her stomach and the doctor would need to put part of my liver into her body to kill the worms so she would recover.
“She was very happy to hear that she would be all right, but the biggest problem now is paying for the operation,” said Lim.
Working two jobs as a food hawker full-time and a seafood seller on social media part-time, Lim earns around RM3,000 per month.
The mother of four cannot afford the transplant cost.
“With my income, it is impossible for me to raise RM140,000,” she said.
Star Foundation’s Medical Fund Programme is helping to raise funds for Natalie’s liver transplant at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with non-profit organisation Community Care Enrichment Programme Foundation.
The joint fundraiser hopes to speed up the fundraising process to reach the targeted amount of RM140,000 as soon as possible.
Those who wish to help can channel donations to Star Foundation Medical Fund’s Public Bank account (31-9984-9230) via bank transfer.
Donations can also be made via cheque, credit or debit card.
Excess donations will be used for the next eligible patient.
To get a tax-exemption receipt, donors need to fill in the Medical Fund-Donation Form available on the foundation’s website.
Star Foundation is the charitable arm of Star Media Group, which aims to support impactful initiatives to help a diverse group of beneficiaries.
The Medical Fund was started in 2015 to help underprivileged individuals suffering from chronic illnesses by sponsoring one-off medical treatment and care.
For information on how to donate, go to starfoundation.com.my and for enquiries, email starfoundation@thestar.com.my
