Two generous donors have covered the AED 39,000 cost of treatment for three-year-old Layan, a Jordanian child suffering from a benign facial tumor. The tumor, which presents as a dark pigmented patch, continues to grow over time, affecting her health, activity, and appearance.
The donations were coordinated through the “Hotline” in collaboration with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, with the amount transferred directly to the child’s account at the hospital, paving the way for the necessary treatment process to begin.
Layan’s father expressed his deep gratitude to the donors, stating that this humanitarian support brought immense joy to the family. He added that such generosity is not unusual in the UAE, a society known for its solidarity and compassion, particularly in times of illness and hardship. He described the donation as a reflection of the nation’s noble values and authenticity.
Emarat Al Youm had previously published Layan’s story, highlighting the family’s struggle. Her father shared that the signs of illness began to appear six months after birth, when he noticed a small red spot on her face. It gradually grew into a large dark patch, expanding by about one inch per month. This caused visible facial deformity and severely impacted Layan’s psychological well-being.
The family resorted to having Layan wear a special mask to cover the affected part of her face, allowing her to engage in daily life more comfortably. They later visited Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi, where thorough medical examinations revealed that the tumor, although benign, was expanding and could potentially spread to her jaw and lower face, requiring urgent surgical intervention.
The father explained that the doctor recommended immediate surgical removal and warned that delaying the procedure could complicate future removal efforts. However, the AED 39,000 cost of the operation was far beyond his financial means. As the sole provider for his wife and four children, he earns a monthly salary of AED 8,000, half of which goes toward housing rent. Additionally, his health insurance policy did not cover the cost of this particular treatment.
He concluded by saying:
“When we lost hope of getting help from charitable organizations, this donation came as a lifeline that saved my daughter from ongoing suffering and gave us new hope.”