ALOR SETAR: After losing his left leg to a landmine during an operation in Hutan Gubir in 1986, an army veteran found himself fighting another battle when he was diagnosed with blood cancer.
Jasni Othman, 60, said he was diagnosed with the illness in September after experiencing constant fatigue and headaches.
“I initially thought it was caused by low blood pressure. As it turned out, I was diagnosed with blood cancer after undergoing tests, forcing me to commute between Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital and home to undergo checks. I have undergone 21 sessions of chemotherapy.
“I have another 21 sessions of chemotherapy. My daughter had to quit her job so that she could accompany me to the hospital every three days,” he said when met at his home in Taman Kita.
Jasni said his family members had to dig deep into their pockets as his monthly pension of RM1,000 was used to cover the house and personal loans as well as grocery.
He said he also received RM150 cash assistance from the Malaysian Armed Forces Veteran’s Association (PVATM) every month.
“With an 18-year-old son and three granddaughters to take care of, I found it difficult to survive as the money I receive monthly is also spent to commute to the hospital.
“My son-in-law is self-employed, so we depend mostly on my pension money. I have to also spend on special formula milk throughout the treatment, which costs over RM80 per container,” he said.
Jasni, whose wife died of breast and lung cancer 14 years ago, appealed for public donation to ease his burden and replacement for his prosthetic leg.
He could be contacted at 017-506 1884 and donations could be made to his Bank Islam account 0211020675510.
Earlier, representatives from non-governmental organisation Canser Survivor Malaysia (CSM) donated formula milk and handed alms collected from its members to Jasni.