Heartbreaking Battle: Rare Cancer Diagnosis Hits Young Girl in Singapore

SINGAPORE: A two-and-a-half-year-old girl, Jealene Caleisha Tanjaya, is fighting for her life at the National University Hospital as she battles a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, known as Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML). This particularly dangerous type of leukemia afflicts only 1 in every 1,000,000 children worldwide, making Jealene’s case an exceptionally rare occurrence.

Her mother, Melisa, has taken to crowdfunding platforms to seek financial assistance for her daughter’s urgent treatment, which includes chemotherapy and a complex hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The treatment is critical and is estimated to cost over S$330,000.

Jealene’s journey began in late 2023, when her parents noticed unusual red spots appearing on her face each time she cried. Initially dismissed by doctors in Surabaya, Indonesia, as potential allergies or harmless skin conditions, the spots persisted and prompted further investigation. On April 1, 2024, a complete blood test confirmed the heartbreaking diagnosis of leukemia, indicated by alarmingly high white blood cell counts and low platelet levels.

Since the diagnosis, Jealene's family has moved to Singapore for specialized care at NUH, where they learned about the severity of her condition. “She is a good, strong, and cheerful girl; she always smiles even in the hardest situations,” Melisa shared, emphasizing her daughter’s unwavering spirit despite the challenges.

As of now, approximately S$140,700 has already been raised to support Jealene's treatment through the Give.Asia platform, demonstrating the community's role in rallying behind this brave young girl. However, the family continues to seek additional support as Jealene is scheduled to undergo her 10th cycle of chemotherapy on November 19, which is expected to last five days. Following that, on December 5, she will be admitted for her vital bone marrow transplant, with her father set to be the donor.

The family appeals for continued prayers and support, hoping that through collective effort, little Jealene can overcome this life-threatening disease and return to her spirited self once again. **Join the fight against cancer and help Jealene’s family secure the vital treatment she desperately needs!**