Sunday Times 2
Baby Shamel requires help
View(s):14-month-old Shamel was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare neuromuscular condition that causes patients to have weakened muscles and damaged neurones in the brain stem and spinal cord. SMA affects ability to independently sit, stand, crawl, walk, eat, and even breathe and can be fatal if untreated depending on the symptoms.
According to doctors at National University Hospital Singapore, Shamel must receive Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy as a treatment. It is one of the most expensive medicines and costs approximately SGD 3 mn (around LKR 800 mn). Through the administering of this medication, it is expected that he will be able to eat and breathe without support, and sit, stand and walk.
Soliciting funds from the community would be our only hope to fund his treatment as the target of S$3 mn is a very large sum of money to bear by ourselves. Donations are collected through ‘Ray of Hope’, an approved charity in Singapore, who has provided a trustworthy platform to crowdfund this purpose. Well-wishers are also welcomed to deposit funds to Sampath Bank – Kandy Super Branch, AC 100 753 883 450, A R Pilapitiya.
