Ariyana Awina and Nurina (back row third from left) with doctors and nurses at HPKK UKM.
The Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) has provided over RM496,000 in support to a five-year-old girl from Miri diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the right thoracic.
Ariyana Awina Abdul Malik has shown remarkable strength throughout her cancer journey, despite her young age.
Her initial symptoms began subtly, resembling common childhood illnesses such as persistent coughs, flu and recurring fevers.
Complaints of pain near her right armpit initially led doctors to suspect a lung infection or pneumonia and she was prescribed tuberculosis (TB) medication.
“However, her condition worsened. The TB treatment reacted adversely with a then-undetected tumour in her chest.
“A CT scan was ordered, which revealed signs of cancer,” SCCS said in a media statement.
Ariyana Awina and her mother Nurina Zakaria were told to fly to Kuching for further treatment.
It was during the flight that Nurina was informed of the cancer diagnosis in September 2024.
Upon landing, an ambulance transported the child directly to Sarawak General Hospital, where chemotherapy began immediately.
Since then, Ariyana Awina had undergone extensive treatment, including eight cycles of chemotherapy (until September last year), two tumour-removal surgeries (last December), a bone marrow transplant at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children’s Hospital (HPKK UKM, last January), 14 sessions of radiotherapy (until last March) and immunotherapy (beginning last May).
With time as well as support from other parents and SCCS’ Support Services team, Nurina learned how to manage her daughter’s care, understand scan reports and interpret treatment schedules.
While in Kuala Lumpur for the bone marrow transplant, Ariyana Awina faced one of her toughest phases. She stopped speaking, kept her eyes closed for 24 hours, lost weight drastically (at one point she only weighed 12kg) and struggled with feeding.
Radiotherapy also left her with side effects such as a sore throat and dry skin.
“Throughout these challenges, it was Ariyana Awina’s unwavering spirit that carried her and her mother through,” SCCS said.
“During this time, Nurina also shared that her daughter has inspired her to become an advocate for thorough treatment and to be more vigilant of cancer signs and symptoms.”
SCCS provided comprehensive support that included monthly financial aid (especially vital as Nurina is a single parent to five children), accommodation, transport, medical education and guidance to manage her daughter’s treatment, besides flight sponsorships from Miri to Kuching and Kuala Lumpur.
SCCS had also organised activities that brought joy and comfort to both Ariyana Awina and Nurina, helping them stay mentally and emotionally strong.
