A 14-year-old girl in Langkawi passed away yesterday (1 June) after a six-year battle with brain cancer. Her dying wish was to meet her grandparents in Pokok Sena and to celebrate Hari Raya together, which came true about one month ago.
On 2 May, Noraifa Azira Abdul Aziz’s story caught the attention of netizens after she was flown in a helicopter to her grandparent’s house, thanks to The Weststar Group, Group Managing Director Tan Sri Dr Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim.
Harian Metro reported that Noraifa travelled by helicopter from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Melaka, Langkawi at about 11am and arrived at SK Bukit Hijau, Kedah 40 minutes later. She was then taken by ambulance to her grandmother’s house in Kampung Bukit Hijau, Mukim Derang, Pokok Sena.
Noraifa expressed her joy after being able to meet her grandparents despite her condition.
“I’m happy today to finally be able to go to my grandparent’s house, thank you all who helped me today,” she said in a soft voice.
No cure for her illness
Her mother, Roslina Aaswira Azmi, 38, said Noraifa, who is the eldest of the five siblings, has been bedridden since last year after doctors confirmed that there were no more methods or treatments to cure her illness.
“When Noraifa was nine years old in 2013, there was a tumour on her spinal cord and doctors performed a surgery to remove the tumour,” she said.
“However, at the age of 11, the cancer came back and the doctor did four chemotherapy treatments, but nothing changed and the tumour only grew bigger.”
Roslina said that in May, Noraifa began losing her appetite and would express her longing to see her grandmother after not being able to return to the village for three years due to her illness.
Muslim Care Malaysia activist Natipah Abu was made aware of Noraifa’s story and decided to help her fulfil her wishes. Initially, she said she wanted to rent a speedboat, but realised that it wasn’t suitable for Noraifa’s condition.
So, she made an application to rent a helicopter, which was difficult as many did not operate due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, she managed to find someone who was willing to fly Noraifa to her grandparents.
Passed away with her grandmother by her side
On 1 June, Noraifa breathed her last at about 3.20pm with her grandmother, Siti Hawa Osman, 63, by her side.
Her mother said Noraifa has been unconscious since last Wednesday (26 May) and was admitted to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) Alor Setar for three days before being allowed to return on Monday.
“When she returned home, her condition was still the same, but on Monday she opened his eyes for a moment before closing them again,” she said.
“She died this afternoon after we checked her breathing, even her legs and hands had turned blue. Then the medical team arrived and they confirmed Noraifa was gone.”
Noraifa’s family said they were at peace with the passing of Noraifa, who had been suffering from brain cancer for the past six years.
Noraifa will be buried at the Kampung Bukit Hijau Cemetery, Pokok Sena, reported Sinar Harian.
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