WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY – “Appreciate what you have, don’t ever let it go, because the moment you let go, others are crying for it, strive while you are still given the opportunity.”

These touching words are from Rohany Gabi, a student of the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) who suffered from bone cancer stage four for almost 10 years.

She advised students to take advantage of their health by undertaking beneficial activities such as studying and avoid wasteful activities.

“Frankly speaking, I feel sad when people who have everything, with their parents around, and who have healthy body, do not appreciate these ‘perfection’,” he added.

Born in Keningau, she was diagnosed to have Bone Cancer stage four when she was only 12 years old.

Doctors placed no hope on her, but she still continued to undergo surgery and removed 26 cm of her femur and also underwent 10 rounds of chemotherapy treatments.

While suffering from the illness, she also faced various distressing episodes including the death of her father who was involved in an accident at work when she was 14 years old.

By the time her cancer had spread to her lungs, she experienced another death in the family, her elder brother.

Often ridiculed and side-lined by her peers in school, all these never stop Rohany in remaining positive in facing this dreaded illness.

“I thank God for all the miracles He has given me; in 2013, doctors confirmed that the cancer cells in my lungs had all gone and that I am completely free from having bone cancer,” she said, who also underwent more than 10 operations during the duration of her treatment. – SS (fl)