27-year-old Moganambigai A/P Thamaraichelven from Ipoh, Perak, was a 23-year-old university student in 2020, which was supposed to be one of the best years in her life. Unexpectedly, she experienced numbness on the left side of her body. When she went to seek treatment at a hospital, the doctor discovered a small, hard lump in her neck. The doctor removed the lump, sent it for a biopsy and ruled out the possibility of a brain tumour. The doctor also abstracted the bone marrow, and the test confirmed that she had Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

After some medication treatment, the patient’s condition improved. Initially, she experienced numbness in her body, lost balance, could not walk, and was unable to hold things with her weak left hand, but now, she can walk and care for herself. However, the doctor recommended she continue with the medication to control her condition and prevent the disease from deteriorating. Her family borrowed money from here and there, but they were still short of RM64,400 to pay for her medical expenses and needed urgent help from the public.

【The patient studied social sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia, majoring in politics. She had the disease when she was 23 and has been actively receiving treatment since then. She managed to complete her studies with strong perseverance】

Before Moganambigai was diagnosed with MS, she experienced numbness on the left side of her body for about half a year. Her left hand was weak and could not hold things, and she felt pain when moving her eyeballs. Later, she lost her balance, was unable to walk, and relied on a wheelchair to move around. She could not drive, too. She went for treatment, and the doctor confirmed that she had Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder that can affect the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). The immune system of an MS patient may attack the protective covering of the nerve cells (myelin sheath), causing the brain to be unable to communicate with the parts of the body. Eventually, the disease can lead to permanent damage or degeneration of nerve fibres and uncoordinated limb movements.

After completing her treatment, Moganambigai’s condition improved significantly, and she can now walk and care for herself.

In June 2022, the patient suddenly had blurred vision and pain in her left eye. She went for a follow-up consultation, and the doctor confirmed that the disease had recurred. Her condition improved after taking medication at that time. Unexpectedly, the disease recurred for the second time in October of the same year. The same situation happened to her right eye, and she recovered after the medication. During a follow-up visit in January 2023, the doctor discovered two lesions in her brain and found two additional lesions subsequently.

In April last year, she lost her balance and was unable to walk normally. She needed crutches or the support of her friends. The doctor also recommended that she use the immunotherapy medication, which costs about RM45,000 a year. Her family borrowed money here and there, yet the amount was insufficient. Hence, they turned to One Hope Charity for assistance.

The patient’s 68-year-old father, Thamaraichelven  A/L Perumal, was a security guard in Singapore. However, he returned to Malaysia for treatment some 15 years ago due to a heart disease. He has been jobless since then and helped his wife to operate a food stall. Her 65-year-old mother, Puspavathy A/P Ataymolam, sells Indian kuihs, earning about RM2,000 monthly. The patient has five brothers. They used to pay for their sister’s medical expenses, but now, they have exhausted their savings and cannot help anymore.

After reviewing the case following a home visit, One Hope Charity decided to assist her in raising RM64,400 in medical expenses. Her family agreed to fully authorise One Hope Charity to take charge of the fundraising and collect donations from the well-wishers on their behalf.

Call One Hope Charity’s hotline at 04-539 9212, 016-419 2192, 019-232 2192 or 018-911 4192 if you have questions.