(by Moza Adilen – Communications and Fundraising Officer)
On this International Childhood Cancer Day and Valentine’s Day, we explore the theme of selfless love in a parent in the face of adversity and unimaginable challenges. The story follows Adi’s journey as he sacrifices his job and personal well-being, after the loss of his wife, to care for his daughter Keisha, who is battling neuroblastoma. We witness Adi’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and the harsh realities faced by parents like Adi as they deal with the heartbreaks of serious illnesses and the devastation of financial burden.
The story also shed light on the physical, emotional, financial, and social struggles that families deal with in the world of childhood cancer. We hope Adi’s story can raise awareness and foster empathy for the challenges associated with childhood cancer on a global scale.
At Rachel House, we understand the importance of supporting families like Adi’s, providing them with the care and resources they need, to navigate the complexities of childhood cancer with strength and resilience. Join us in honoring the power of a father’s love by becoming a donor of Rachel House today. Together, we can write stories of courage, compassion, and unwavering love for families facing the challenges of childhood cancer.
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Becoming a parent takes us on wild and precious journeys that often reveal to us parts of ourselves – strengths and courage – that we did not realize we possess. In this story and on this International Childhood Cancer Day and Valentine’s Day, we take you on a journey of a father discovering the power of Selfless Love.
Selflessness is not an inherent trait; rather, it is cultivated over time. Parenthood demands a non-negotiable commitment to selflessness, from the moment an individual welcomes their child into their life, a profound and irreversible transformation occurs.
Six years ago, the life of a man named Adi underwent a profound transformation with the birth of his daughter, Keisha. Filled with happiness because of this little bundle of joy, Adi eagerly anticipated the unfolding future for him and his growing family. Embracing his role as a father, Adi was determined to go above and beyond to provide the best life imaginable for little Keisha and her older brother.
In 2023, Adi and his small family faced an unexpected turn of events. Keisha, who was once a healthy and active child, received a diagnosis of neuroblastoma (a type of cancer that develops in the nerve tissues), that led to a progressive deterioration of her delicate and small body. Tragically, shortly after Keisha’s diagnosis, her mother succumbed to cervical cancer, a battle she had been fighting since 2022. This puts Adi not only in a difficult situation but also drives him into a role he never anticipated.
The devastating series of events left Adi and his little family grappling with profound grief and loss. Keisha’s health challenges intensified, and the loss of her mother added an emotional weight to their already difficult situation.
After careful considerations, Adi decided to quit his job in a cleaning service company, and dedicate himself to the care of Keisha. With the loss of income and support, the family moved into Adi’s sister’s house, in the hope of providing a more supportive environment with the presence of the extended family. Despite the increased number of family members around, Keisha continues to express a strong preference for her father above all others, sticking closely to him wherever he went.
Adi is determined to provide the best possible care for Keisha. Despite facing financial constraints, he scraped together whatever funds he could to ensure Keisha received the necessary chemotherapy treatment, and even paying for taxi services for transportation as Keisha’s strength continued to decline. Unfortunately, out of the scheduled 26 chemotherapy treatments, Keisha was only able to complete 8, as Adi had used up all of his savings.
With the incomplete chemotherapy treatment, the cancer in Keisha’s body continued to grow, spreading to her bone marrow. Keisha’s health has started to deteriorate steadily. By the time she was admitted to Rachel House, she was experiencing shortness of breath; her once radiant skin has grown pale, and her cheerful spirit has faded.
Nevertheless, Keisha remained in Adi’s eyes as his beautiful and cheerful little girl, as he stands steadfastly loyal by her side attending to her every need. With Rachel House in their lives, Adi now feels more at ease and at peace as he cares for Keisha, without the worries about food and transportation – both now provided by Rachel House – thereby easing the financial burden that often plague parents caring for children with special medical needs. This additional assistance allows Adi to focus on creating a loving and nurturing environment for Keisha, ensuring that she experiences as much joy and comfort in her last days.
With no adequate time to grieve his wife’s passing, the deterioration of his daughter’s condition, and the possibility of her passing soon, Adi remained stoic and resilient in the face of these immense challenges. He opted for selflessness, as a means of loving and caring unconditionally for his daughter, and giving her the best life in her remaining days. Even though Keisha may not have experienced great fortunes in her brief life, she is undeniably blessed to have Adi as her father.
*Name changed for privacy
