KOTA KINABALU: After losing her son to cancer in July last year, Nur Azlin Abdullah @ Carol Salag turned her loss into a mission to support cancer patients and their families in coping with the illness.
“My son, Muhammad Haqeem Eduine, lost his battle with gastric cancer last July. The pain of losing him is still unbearable, but his passing has strengthened my resolve to continue fighting and help those in need,” she said.
Speaking as the organising chairperson of the Sabah Cancer Volunteers Association’s charity dinner recently, Nur Azlin said she found solace in helping others through the association.
She added that the funds raised during the event supported the operational costs of the Cancer Patients’ House (CPH) in Kingfisher, Likas.
“From personal experience, I understand how emotionally, physically, and financially demanding the journey of a cancer patient and their family can be.
"Various cancer awareness programmes across Sabah have also been planned to help more individuals affected by the disease, directly or indirectly,” she said.
The event was officiated by the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salah, who also serves as the Mutiara GRS president.
CPH president Julianah Kurutung said the house was established to provide temporary accommodation for cancer patients from rural areas undergoing long-term treatment at Sabah Women and Children's Hospital.
“Since opening on Jan 1, 2023, the CPH has provided rooms for five patients and their companions,” she said.
She also said that the association offers mammogram subsidies, in collaboration with the National Population and Family Development Board, to promote early detection of breast and cervical cancer.
