KUALA LUMPUR: Jarvis Ong is a brave 10-year-old who has fought a rare form of cancer and beat it.
He did this with a helping hand from generous Malaysians who learnt of his plight from 8TV charitable documentary series Jasmine Project Love.
Jarvis' mother Karen said that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma when he was three and his condition had stabilised after a series of treatments.
"The cancer relapsed, but thank God, we have beaten it once again, with lots of help from caring Malaysians," said Karen, adding that Jarvis underwent both chemotherapy and surgery.
Viewers of Jasmine Project Love have also helped another Klang Valley boy Kong Mun Hin, aged 14.
He was born with Down's Syndrome, and this meant he had severe learning difficulties.
Fortunately, the patient and resourceful trainers of Halokids Therapy Centre led by its founder Xherene Ong guided him well, and over the last seven years, Mun Hin has become self-reliant and independent like most youngsters of his age group.
Xherene said: "Mun Hin is a fast-learner and besides mastering most household chores fast, he has also undergone vocational skills training and its pretty good at making handicrafts."
Since its premiere last year, the 20th anniversary special programme of 8TV has received overwhelming support from various sectors and touched the lives of many Malaysians.
In its first season's 24 episodes, it has explored poverty, illness and disability afflicting Malaysians, mostly children, from low-income families and highlighted their resilience in the face of such challenges.
Featuring not only these unfortunate children and their loved ones, but also the doctors, social workers and volunteers who helped them, Jasmine Project Love has given its mainly Klang Valley beneficiaries RM200,000 via the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund.
A second season will begin filming in December, and this time the series will feature needy Malaysians from outside the Klang Valley.
Media Prima Television Networks and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Nini Yusof said: "Jasmine Project Love has provided a platform to create awareness on the plight of mostly young people enduring poverty and illness.
"We would like to thank the caring public for donating generously to them, and we also encourage more Malaysians to support charitable causes for a better future."
Nini announced the second season of Jasmine Project Love at a special ceremony in Avante Hotel, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya yesterday.
The ceremony was attended by Media Prima group chairman Datuk Seri (Dr) Syed Hussian Aljunid, its group managing director Rafiq Razali, 8TV chief operating oficer Kevin Foo, Big Tree Outdoor and Omnia Agency Solutions chief operating officer Stephanie Wong and Jasmine Food chief executive officer Dennis Foo.
Also present were the series' co-hosts Desmond Tay, Jan Chin, Ong Ching Yee, Soh Chin Chuan and Charlotte Seow.
Dennis said: "Jasmine has always been part of the Malaysian households and we are committed to giving back to society. We are honoured to work with Media Prima to create this programme."
Kevin said that the recipients came from families with monthly incomes below RM5,000.
"It is our duty as citizens to reach out to the needy as best as we can, especially those who courageously face illness and disabilities that pose major challenges to their well-being.
"While the first season focuses mainly on children in the Klang Valley, the new seasons will extend our helping hands to those from other states and regions."