Father of 11 battles two cancers, struggles to support family

ARAU: A father of 11 is struggling to provide for his family after being diagnosed with two types of cancer, leaving him unable to work and dependent on a small nasi lemak business for income.

Sazafi Affian Abd Aziz, 48, was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera, a rare blood cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells, in 2019.

His condition worsened this year when he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, leaving him unable to swallow food and dependent on formula milk administered through a feeding tube.

"I should be the one earning a living and looking after my wife and children as the head of the family, but I am no longer able to do so after being diagnosed with two cancers," he said when met at his home in Kaki Bukit here yesterday.

Sazafi, who previously worked as a travel agent handling umrah packages, also lost his first wife to leukaemia in 2012.

His late wife had five children from a previous marriage, whom he raised as his own after her death.

"My late wife had five children with her former husband. After she died, I took care of them, and they have become like my own children. They are now aged between 15 and 25.

"I later married my current wife, Munaa Izzati Aziz, 35, and we have six children together, aged between 12 months and 12 years.

"My wife used to work as a nurse at a hospital here but had to resign last year to care for me and look after the children," he said.

Sazafi said two of his stepchildren were studying at university, while two others were in Forms Three and Five. Another was married.

Four of his biological children were attending primary school.

He said the family's financial situation had become increasingly difficult as he needed to travel regularly to Penang Hospital for treatment.

The family now relies on income from a nasi lemak business run by Sazafi and his wife.

"My wife has sacrificed so much for me. She drives me to Penang Hospital every three weeks for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

"The cost of travelling there is quite high. I need to prepare at least RM400 for each trip.

"There was even a time when I missed treatment because I had no money, although I know it is risky because the cancer could continue to spread," he said.

Sazafi said he also needed a tin of special formula milk every day, costing RM50, as he could no longer eat normally.

With his ability to work severely affected, Sazafi said the rising costs of treatment and household expenses had placed further strain on the family.

Despite his difficulties, he remains determined to see his children succeed in their studies, even though he cannot provide them with everything other families might afford.

Earlier, Sazafi received a visit from Cancer Survivors Malaysia (CSM), led by its chairman Zuraini Kamal, who presented cash assistance, essential groceries and special formula milk.