“I was first diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and even went through a bone marrow transplant. But in February this year, my condition suddenly progressed into leukemia. The doctor said a bone marrow transplant is the only way to survive... I sincerely hope the public can help me.”

Chan Kok Kong, a 46-year-old pizza hawker from Sungai Pinang, Penang, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) at the end of 2023. Sadly, his condition took a turn for the worse in February this year, progressing into Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

He had undergone a bone marrow transplant from his brother last year, but the results were short-lived. Doctors now say he is no longer suitable for another transplant using the same donor. A new matching donor must be found from the bone marrow registry, and the overall cost of the transplant and treatment is estimated at RM300,000.

【No Symptoms After First Transplant, But AML Diagnosed in February — A Critical Situation】

Despite his illness, Chan has always been health-conscious and has no history of diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol.

In 2022, during Malaysia’s general election, he experienced dizziness, breathlessness, and weakness while at the polling station. Mistaking it for fatigue, he continued working the next day without seeking treatment.

His wife, Lam Foong Theng (46), a former nurse, noticed his drastic weight loss and yellowing palms two weeks earlier. She suspected something was wrong with his liver and urged him to get checked. However, as he was still eating well, he brushed it off.

A few days later, while delivering pizza to a longtime customer — now a doctor — the doctor noticed Chan’s pale complexion and arranged for a blood test. The results showed alarming abnormalities.

Initially diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, Chan was referred to a government hospital when his medical card limit was reached. He relied on blood transfusions until he was officially diagnosed with MDS and underwent his first bone marrow transplant in March 2023.

Unfortunately, the transplant’s effect did not last. In February this year, his condition deteriorated to leukemia — a life-threatening turn.

【Handmade Pizzas That Carry the Hopes of a Family】

Chan and his wife have been running a pizza stall together for nearly 20 years. Their stall is known for serving a variety of pizzas and pastas, all made with love. Their dough and sauces are part of their “secret recipes,” made fresh upon each order. Even their mushroom soup is made from scratch using fresh mushrooms.

Over the years, many customers who started as strangers have become friends — some even grew up eating their food.

The couple has three school-going children, aged 16, 14, and 11. The family of five relies solely on the stall for their livelihood. With the daily cost of living, school expenses, and now the staggering RM300,000 medical bill, they are overwhelmed and financially drained.

After a thorough review, ONE HOPE CHARITY has approved the fundraising campaign to cover her medical expenses. The family has entrusted the full responsibility of the fundraising to ONE HOPE CHARITY, which will also collect the donations on their behalf. ONE HOPE CHARITY has already allocated RM20,000 from the Emergency Medical & Contigency Fund.

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