Suffering of Kidney disease

Recently, my younger brother asks me how to “escape” from Malaysia government tax. I told him that “Bro, go and buy book or computer” which these two items can be deducted in our local tax. He said “No much can be deducted”. I also agreed.

On 21 October 2006, as usual I received mails and one of them is from National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia titled as “The Spirit of Care & love”. I read the letter and saw a wording stated that tax-exemption. Yap! It comes to the right time and right place. My brother can donate some money for charity which I think should be the best solution of how to escape the tax.

But today I no emphasized above matter. Please continue read my article. There are two pages of this letter. I took the second page and there are two version of language. One in Chinese and the other is English. I used to read Chinese and I noticed that the content is very useful for those suffering of kidney. Here, I would like public this organization which I also never heard before and as a Malaysia citizen, I think it is our responsible to keep this organization to grow. As I know, we need ton of money to cure this killing disease and many people are suffering.

I would like to extract the content of this letter written by Siti zainab binti Hamzah where you all can read the letter in English version. Below is the content:-

“ Having married for just 5 months and expecting my first child, I felt on top of the world, looking forward to starting a family until I was diagnosed with kidney failure. Initially members of my family distanced themselves for fear that the disease was contagious and that I would turn to them for financial aid. I felt hopeless and lost.

For 5 years, I experienced only mild symptoms of kidney disease. I suffered from hypertension and had kidney stones. At work, I was often occupied with my responsibilities as line leader at a manufacturing plant. I found the job stressful, often having to resolve worker dispute to keep the assembly line moving. My small stature compared to my fellow colleagues pushed me to work harder. I often suffered from headaches and took painkillers for relief. But the headaches did not go away for long. I also did not drink enough water which I believe, caused the formation of kidney stones.

It was 7 months into my pregnancy, when my high blood pressure risked both my life and that of the baby. Doctors advised against continuing with the pregnancy. I gave birth to a baby girl Shafikah two months premature. A year after giving birth, both of my kidneys failed requiring me to undergo dialysis. I was told to pay over RM1,900 a month for dialysis. It was a big sum of money for us. We were just starting out on our careers and family.

My husband, Kamaruddin, did not know where to go to look for financial assistance for my treatment. Friends advised us to try traditional medicine instead to treat the illness but it did not improve my condition. After just 2 months without dialysis, I experienced breathing difficulties and fell unconscious at house. I was admitted to the intensive care unit where I lay unconscious for 3 days. By then my body weight had dropped by 19kgs to only 28kgs.

After being discharged from hospital, I moved back to Petaling Jaya. I know I had to continue dialysis treatment. I come to know NFK from my local hospital. They said NFK could help me with my dialysis treatment because of the affordable rate of RM50 per treatment or RM650 per month charged. I turned to the NFK centre in Section 14, Petaling Jaya for assistance.

I am now in my 8th year of dialysis with NFK. My husband, Kamaruddin and I, together with our daughter Sharikah, enjoy the programs offered by NFK for its patients and their families. These programs include patient support groups, therapeutic recreational activities, public awareness, job placement and financial assistance schemes. They have made it easier for us to deal with my disease.

Sewing quilts has become a hobby for me. It keeps me occupied while waiting for my turn for dialysis at the centre. Having learnt the technique from the wife of another patient, now others have also joined in. It is a way for me to earn extra income now that I am a homemaker.

I feel cared for, here at NFK. They have helped us with everything to get my life back to normal. When my kidney failed, my whole family was affected, not just me alone. Now life has meaning again. The patients of NPK and I have the courage to look forward to the future, ever hopeful of what it may bring. This optimism depends on your generosity and compassion to keep us alive.

I can never fully express my gratitude to NFK for this chance to continue living. And I know your continued support and generosity will give me the strength and courage to face reality of life.”


There is end of the letter written by Puan Siti. Many of people in our nation did not aware of this organization including me. For those who can contribute for charity, it is great and God will always bless you.

I did see kidney patient died due to financial assistance and do not know where to ahead. It is sadness. By this opportunity, I wish those read my above article. Please spread this organization especially people rural area such as estate or rural village. They are lacks of information and many of them died because of this killing disease.

Below is NFK full name and contract. Thank you for take your time to read my article. God bless you.


National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia
Fundraising Department
No. 70, Jalan 14/29, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-79549048
Fax: 603-79540535
Email: fundraising@nfk.org.my
Web: http://www.nfk.org.my/

Please take note that on 2nd November 2006, there is a charity dinner organized by the Sunway Group. Further details, please kindly contract as above.

“Spirit Care & Love”

Happy Deepavali and Selamat Hari Raya