KUANTAN: Cancer-stricken Zaki Mohd Yamani is a man on a mission.
The 27-year-old is hitch-hiking across the Peninsular Malaysia to raise awareness about cancer and spread the message that the illness does not mean death.
With only RM13 in his wallet, Zaki, who suffers from lymphatic cancer (Hodgkin’s lymphoma), left his hometown in Pulau Tawar, Jerantut, Pahang, on Friday on foot and planned to complete his mission by Sept 8.
Zaki, who learnt about his illness in July 2014, said he had been thinking of making such a trip for some time before setting the plan in motion several weeks ago.
“Initially, I planned to travel overseas as hitch-hiking trips are common abroad.
“Later, I planned to cover only the northern part of the country before finally deciding to visit all the 12 states. I carry RM13, MyKad and some clothes. The generosity of Malaysians has helped me keep my money as they bought me meals and gave me cash,” he said in Langkawi, Kedah, yesterday.
Zaki said during his journey, he shared a lot with the public on cancer and hoped that other patients would remain strong and continue with treatment.
“Some think that when they have been diagnosed with cancer, it is a sign that their lives are ending, but one should never give up.
“The life of a cancer patient can be distressing, but one should realise that cancer is not a ticket to die as there is hope,” said Zaki, who runs a printing business in Jerantut.
The youngest of five siblings, Zaki said so far he had covered Terengganu, Perak, Kedah and Perlis.
He said he set a target to arrive at a certain destination daily before spending the night at friends’ houses when he reached a place.
“My friends in certain towns have invited me to stay at their place and this helped me recover after long hours on the road.
“I usually stand by the roadside holding a placard indicating my destination and motorists from various races have given me lifts.
“I have met many nice and caring people,” said Zaki, a third-stage cancer patient who has been undergoing chemotherapy for more than a year.
The updates on his journey via his Facebook page, “Zaki Bijak”, went viral as Netizens provided daily encouragement and shared his posts.