Leukemia shatters girl’s dream to study media

A Sudanese girl was close to fulfilling her dream of studying media when she was selected among other top school girls to join the Dubai-based American University within a scholarship programme sponsored by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister, ruler of Dubai. But her dream was shattered when she was found to be suffering from Leukemia and that she needs nearly Dhthree million for treatment abroad.

The girl, identified as HS, was awarded the scholarship for her brilliant performance in school in Abu Dhabi as she obtained a 97-mark.

“Three months after my daughter joined the American University to study media, we found that she is suffering from Leukemia,” her father said, quoted by the Dubai-based Arab language daily Emirat Alyoum.

He said his daughter was admitted last year to the Khalifa Hospital in Abu Dhabi for chemical treatment but added her condition later deteriorated and he was told to take her to London for treatment.

“In London, a specialized medical centre said my daughter needs a bone marrow transplant operation and offered to help us in finding a donor,” he said.

“They said the operation and chemical treatment before the transplant will cost around 300,000 UK pounds (Dhthree million)…this sum is now needed for my daughter to be cured so she can pursue her studies.”

The paper quoted the father as saying he, his wife and four other children offered to donate bone borrow but were told their tissues are not identical.

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