EIGHT-year-old Vimalaashravanee Shasidran has been diagnosed with Williams Syndrome and needs urgent heart surgery.
Her family is appealing for help to raise the RM55,000 needed to cover her operation.
Her father works as a tyre technician, earning an average of RM2,000 per month while her mother, M. Shaliny, 32, is a full-time homemaker.
Despite their efforts, the family from Sungai Siput, Perak, simply do not have the means to secure funds needed for her operation.
Shaliny said her second child needed constant care and supervision, and that going to the toilet, eating and even simple movements required help.
Vimalaashravanee first sought treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) and is now attending follow-ups there and at Hospital Ipoh.
Her surgery is scheduled for May or June this year but it cannot go ahead until the required funds are raised.
Shaliny said despite the emotional stress, she remained committed to accompanying her child through every challenge.
“It is very painful for us to see her like this and we feel helpless.
“The only thing we can do is pray for divine and medical help, hoping she will have a chance to recover and live a normal life.
“We sincerely hope that the public can give her a chance to receive treatment so she may one day live like other children,” Shaliny said.
Petaling Jaya-based Community Care Enrichment Programme (CCEP) Foundation is assisting the family to raise funds for the surgery.
According to its group chief executive officer Yee Poo Yoon, Williams Syndrome was a rare genetic disorder affecting multiple systems in the body, particularly neurodevelopment.
“This condition is widely recognised due to its distinctive facial features, developmental delays and various associated medical complications.
“Patients with Williams Syndrome often exhibit mild intellectual disabilities or cognitive impairments.
“The most common heart condition is supravalvular aortic stenosis, which is the narrowing of the blood vessel above the aortic valve.
“Patients may also develop pulmonary artery stenosis and hypertension.”
Vimalaashravanee’s heart has to work harder than normal to function.
Her condition has gradually worsened, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, low stamina, developmental delays, and limited speech ability.
Those who wish to help can donate to the following RHB account: 26219300009342 under CCEP Foundation.
Please send your donation receipt to https://wa.link/tzmmgy (website: ccep.org.my) and indicate the patient’s name.
For a tax exemption receipt, which will be issued within 14 days, fill in your details at https://forms.gle/jtBWVNUgxxWZJgzp6
For details, call 010-279 8849 or 03-7955 9999.
All funds collected will be paid directly to the hospital to ensure full transparency and accountability.
