Malaysia teen battles rare leukaemia, urgently needs US$489K for treatment in Singapore
A 15-year-old girl from Melaka is racing against time to raise RM2 million (approx US$489,500) for life-saving CAR-T cell therapy in Singapore, after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.
- A 15-year-old Malaysian girl has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia and urgently needs treatment in Singapore.
- Doctors say CAR-T cell therapy offers her best chance of survival, but the cost is far beyond her family’s means.
- With time running out, a fundraising campaign is underway, and donations are critical to saving her life.
MALAYSIA: A 15-year-old girl from Melaka, Malaysia, is urgently appealing for public support as she battles a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia that requires immediate treatment in Singapore.
Mirabelle Kua Han Fay has been diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL), a fast-progressing blood cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents.
Doctors have advised that she undergo CAR-T cell therapy — a highly specialised and personalised immunotherapy treatment — as soon as possible to maximise her chances of survival.
Medical assessments show that if the CAR-T therapy is successful, Mirabelle has more than an 80% chance of recovery.
However, the treatment must begin within the week, placing immense urgency on her situation.
From Active Teen to Life-Threatening Diagnosis
Earlier this year, Mirabelle had been leading a normal teenage life. She had earned a place on her school’s volleyball team and was actively participating in school activities.
Everything changed on 9 September, when she suddenly developed a fever that worsened rapidly.
A blood test revealed an abnormally high white blood cell count, leading doctors to diagnose her with T-ALL.
Mirabelle has since undergone four cycles of chemotherapy in Malaysia, successfully reducing her cancer cells to within a safe threshold.
Despite this progress, doctors warned that the risk of relapse remains high and that CAR-T cell therapy is her best chance at long-term survival.
She is currently receiving intravenous chemotherapy in Malaysia, which is covered by local insurance, while preparing for the next critical phase of treatment in Singapore.
RM2 Million Treatment Cost Beyond Family’s Means
The total cost of the CAR-T therapy and related medical care amounts to approximately RM2 million (approximately US$489,500).
This includes medical assessments, specialised laboratory work, hospitalisation, medications, and the possibility of future stem cell or bone marrow transplants.
For Mirabelle’s family, the cost is overwhelming.
Her father, Kua Soon Leng, works as a car window tinting salesperson, earning about RM3,000 (approximately US$730) a month.
He also supports his elderly father. Although Mirabelle’s parents divorced when she was young, they reunited upon learning of their daughter’s condition to face the crisis together.
In an emotional moment, Mirabelle pleaded with her father, saying, “I want to live… please don’t give up on me.”
More Than Half Raised, But Time Remains Critical
One Hope Charity & Welfare, which is coordinating the fundraising effort, has pledged RM100,000 (about US$24,476) towards Mirabelle’s treatment.
As of 17 Dec noon, more than RM1,228,202 (approximately US$300,624) has already been raised — or 61.41% of the RM2 million goal.
While the progress has brought hope to the family, a significant funding gap remains, and time is critically limited.
Mirabelle has also made a heartfelt appeal to the public, expressing her wish to recover and return to her previous life.
Members of the public who wish to help can donate through One Hope Charity & Welfare’s official website.
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