A brave cancer-fighting schoolgirl has made a heartfelt video message to the people of Bahrain, thanking them for their love, help and support.
Little Sophie Barlaan, a seven-year-old Filipino girl battling luekaemia, made the recording from her hospital bed where she is undergoing life-saving chemotherapy.
As reported, GDN readers rallied round to help ensure she receives immediate treatment after reading about her plight. “Thank you Bahrain,” Sophie said. “God bless you.”
Donations were being collected within moments of the newspaper landing on doormats across the kingdom and the article appearing electronically on GDNonline.
Among them was renowned philanthropist Shirley Yateem, who stepped in to assist and rally support. The money donated will cover the cost of an urgent bone marrow biopsy and the vital course of chemotherapy, plus a doll for her to cuddle as she undergoes the tough treatment.
Treatment
Her expatriate dad Dennis, 39, who works in customer relations for a Bahrain consultant company, said: “Sophie is a fighter and she wanted to let the people of Bahrain know how much she appreciates their support.
“I’m still amazed at the response of our appeal for help. You will always be in our hearts.”
Readers donated more than BD2,000 to help cover the cost of treatment.
Sophie is suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and is being cared for by her mother, Sherlyn, who has not left her daughter’s hospital bedside.
The family have already spent more than BD2,000 to cover medical expenses and all their savings had been swallowed up.
Friends and family rallied round to offer support after her dad made a heartfelt Save our Sophie SOS appeal.
“Sophie’s story was heartbreaking and I decided to help, but then my family – my daughters and others – wanted to help too,” Ms Yateem told the GDN.
Word spread and her friends stepped in to help too.
Experts say it is possible to treat leukaemia and prevent it from coming back. The survival rate is higher for younger people.
People who still wish to contribute towards the child’s ongoing treatment can get more details on the Facebook page ‘Saving Sophie: Little Girl Battle for Survival Against Leukemia’, @savingsophiebarlaan and Mr Barlaan can be reached on 38916508.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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