Mahiyaa Bala Jeganath, 11, recounts her fight against aggressive leukaemia, stressing early detection, honest communication, and family support as crucial to survival.
PETALING JAYA: Now 11, Mahiyaa Bala Jeganath was diagnosed at six with one of the most aggressive forms of childhood leukaemia – Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL).
Today, she speaks candidly about her battle, offering a powerful lesson in early detection, honest communication and the life-saving impact of family support.
Mahiyaa recalls the first signs of her illness vividly: “I had a fever that wouldn’t go away, bruises on my legs and I was extremely tired. I didn’t look like myself.”
Her parents acted without hesitation.
“They didn’t wait or assume it was just a viral infection. The moment they noticed something was wrong, they brought me straight to the hospital.
“Because they acted quickly, doctors conducted blood tests immediately. The results were abnormal and further testing, including a bone marrow examination, confirmed leukaemia.
“Early action matters. If my parents had waited longer, things could have been much worse.”
Treatment began immediately.
Mahiyaa underwent intensive chemotherapy and targeted therapy to tackle the aggressive cancer.
She also spoke about the physical toll with remarkable honesty.
“I lost my hair. I felt nauseous. I was weak. Some days, I couldn’t even sit up. But I always asked questions. I wanted to understand my medicine. I knew the name of my cancer. I knew it was aggressive. I knew I had to fight harder,” she said.
The fear hit hardest during a relapse.
“That was the first time I asked my mother, ‘Am I going to die?’ I wasn’t dramatic, I wasn’t crying. I just wanted the truth,” she said.
Her mother shared her fear with hospital staff, prompting doctors and nurses to communicate honestly and clearly.
“That honesty made me braver,” Mahiyaa said.
“I felt included, respected and stronger. I realised that understanding my treatment and being told the truth gave me control over my fear.
“Emotionally, the journey was overwhelming.
“At first, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. During relapse, I did. I understood survival rates, risks and the difficulty of treating Philadelphia chromosome leukaemia. I felt real fear. But fear didn’t control me. Now, I feel proud. I know my body. I know my treatment. Cancer is part of my story but it is not my identity.”
The hardest moments, she said, were the relapse, witnessing her parents hide their own fear, and missing out on school and childhood experiences. Yet knowledge and love became her allies.
“When doctors explained things honestly, I felt less afraid. And when people supported families like mine – emotionally and financially – it reminded us we were not alone,” she said.
Mahiyaa has a clear message for parents and the public: “If your child has a fever that doesn’t improve, unexplained bruises, unusual tiredness, pale skin or persistent infections – please do not delay. Trust your instincts. Early detection can save lives.
“Children understand more than adults think. Speak to us honestly. Respect our intelligence. And remember, cancer doesn’t just affect the child; it affects the entire family.”
