This is a sordid story of a dying mother of two daughters, who is fighting for life against Lung Cancer at John Hopkins Hospital in Singapore. She is being given Chemotherapy Treatment on every alternative week. Doctors say chemotherapy involves the use of anti-cancer [Cytotoxic] drugs. The aim is to kill cancer cells with least possible damage to normal cells. The drug work by stopping the cancer cells from dividing and multiplying.
For non-small cell Lung Cancer, Chemotherapy is given as primary chemotherapy for dissemination cancer or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for local advanced disease. Occasionally, surgery may be the third modality after achieving good response with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy can also be used to palliate symptoms as a result of cancer spread to other organs. Noorie's doctor is giving her Chemotherapy in a cycle of two weeks. Each cycle consists of a treatment period followed by a resting period. The resting period is to allow the body to recover before the next treatment cycles starts. If she is continued to be given Chemotherapy for consecutive six months on a cycle basis, the further growth of the lung cancer may be controlled thus letting this mother to see this worlds for few more years, at least. The total treatment will cost Noor-e-Laila, approximately US$ 150,000.
Noor-e-Laila-Rumi, born on September 9, 1975 obtained Masters of Business Administration from a University in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
She joined as a Flight Stewardess with Biman Bangladesh Airlines [national flag carrier of Bangladesh] on March 3, 2000. Noor-e-Laila-Rumi has two daughters, Sabrina Hossain Orpita [aged 10] and Abeka Hossain Adita [aged 3]. Her daughter Abeka Hossain Adita is a US citizen by birth.
Few months back, Noor-e-Laila-Rumi was diagnosed to be suffering from Lung Cancer [Stage 3]. Lung cancer is the most common disease affecting men in Bangladesh and is the third most common among the women. Although many factors have been associated with this major health problem, cigarette smoking has been estimated to be the cause in 80% to 90% of all lung cancer deaths. Lung Cancer usually begins in the lining of the airway in some of the sells of the lung. A cancer that arises in these cells is called carcinoma. Noor-e-Laila-Rumi is not a smoker. But, she has also become a victim of this deadly disease.
Many may think that, as Noor-e-Laila is a cabin crew of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, all of her medical expenses should have been borne by this National Flag career of Bangladesh. But in reality, there is serious discrepancy with authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is providing required financial assistance to its employees in taking treatment. Should Noori-e-Laila be a Cockpit Crew instead of Cabin Crew [although both have same status in their salaries and other financial benefits], Biman Bangladesh Airlines would be bearing all expenses incurred during the treatment. But, just for being a Cabin Crew instead of a Cockpit Crew, she won't get any financial assistance from her employer at this extremely critical junction of her life.
On the other hand, Biman Bangladesh Airlines authorities availed insurance of its employees from a private-owned local insurance company, instead of taking an adequate health insurance from any internationally known company. Just because of this, Noor-e-Laila might receive only a few thousand dollars as compensation from the insurance company against such substantial amount [US$ 150,000] required for her treatment. This case of Cabin Crew Noor-e-Laila leaves a strong signal for all her colleagues in Biman Bangladesh Airlines, who are at the same rank of not receiving adequate financial assistance or insurance coverage, if any of them fall sick and require huge amount of money for their treatment.
As Holy Scriptures say, saving a life is saving the entire world. My humble request to everyone, can we extend our support to this dying mother and save her life? You can reach her at [email protected]