The public's overwhelming support for six-year-old Adam Azfar suffering from a brain tumour has touched his family deeply, says his father Jimadie Shah Othman.

"I would like to thank everyone, even though they have never seen Adam before, but they have sincerely given us a helping hand.

NONE "I am deeply touched, not only for the donations but also the suggestions in emails and Facebook on how to help Adam," said Jimadie, Malaysiakini's Bahasa Malaysia assistant editor.

Jimadie said his family are poring over the various suggestions, including alternative treatment.

"There were all kinds of suggestions, we are looking at all of them, there are even plants (in alternative medicine) which we have never heard before," he said.

Donations from netizens had been flowing in since Thursday to help with Adam's treatment and as of noon today stood at an estimated RM49,140.82.

Prior to the donation drive, Malaysiakini staff had also pooled together RM1,604 for the boy.

NONE The family's first-born was admitted into Serdang Hospital on Nov 3 after he began vomiting and had difficulty walking. 

He was later diagnosed with a 2.5cm long ‘Pontine Glioma' tumour right in the middle of his brain, and was transferred to Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

The once-active boy celebrated his sixth birthday on Nov 23 at the hospital. 

Adam's condition - considered rare and serious - has since deteriorated.

He could hardly move and is too weak to eat and has to be fed with 100 mililitres of high nutrient milk every four hours, costing RM136 each time.

Halfway through for evaluation

Adam was discharged on Nov 30 and the family now travels back and forth to Hospital Kuala Lumpur from their Puchong residence for the radiotherapy sessions and check-ups.

He completed his 15th radiotherapy session yesterday and will need another 15 before a scan to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling the growth of the sizeable tumour.

Jimadie said the radiotherapy session, where radiation is fired on the left and right side of the head for 32 seconds at a time, is expected to conclude by the end of next month.

However, he said this was only if Adam does not become too ill to undergo the rigorous treatment according to schedule.

"The radiotherapy is done on every weekday and he rests on weekends.

NONE "The doctor also checks on his progress every Friday and yesterday the doctor said there is no change - his condition remains the same but added extra medication for vomiting, cough and flu," he said.

The family has set up a Facebook page for relatives and well wishers to keep track of Adam's condition.

Those who wish to help with monetary contributions may do so addressed to Mohd Jimadie Shah bin Othman, Maybank account number 164717019142 or RHB account number 11427700088527.