Some parents would do anything for their children. For Ah Chong, that meant walking out of the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer because he felt his family needed him more than the hospital did.

“My children need me, I need to go home”: Father leaves hospital despite cancer diagnosis
Image Credits: Canva, 马铃薯叔叔日志 Uncle Kentang / Facebook

Instead of staying behind for treatment, the father signed a discharge form and returned to work, determined to keep food on the table for his wife and children. According to social activist Uncle Kentang, Ah Chong had been admitted to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital after feeling weak, where doctors discovered he had cancer.

But the diagnosis wasn’t the only thing weighing on his mind.

At home, his wife and 13-year-old son both live with mental health conditions and rely on him as their primary caregiver. He also has two older children, aged 18 and 20, with one working as a restaurant waiter to help support the family.

Still, the household depends largely on Ah Chong’s income. Knowing there was rent to pay and mouths to feed, he made the difficult decision to leave the hospital so he could continue working.

“My wife and children need me. I need to go home.”

He still doesn’t know what stage his cancer is

While doctors have diagnosed Ah Chong with cancer, he has yet to undergo a CT scan to determine the stage of his cancer. According to Uncle Kentang, government hospitals currently have long waiting times for CT scan appointments, meaning Ah Chong could be waiting several months before getting any answers. The uncertainty has left him living in fear.

Ah Chong wakes up at 1:30am everyday, to pick up bread and soy milk, so he could make his way to Menara TRX on time for the breakfast rush.
Image credits: Uncle Kentang

“I need to know what stage my cancer is. I need to do a CT scan so I can plan for my family,” he said.

Because of the long wait, Uncle Kentang hopes to bring Ah Chong to Columbia Hospital for the scan instead, which is expected to cost around RM1,500 or more.

He explained that knowing the stage of the cancer is crucial, as he has expressed his wishes to make arrangements for his family’s future should the worst happen.

He starts work at 1.30am every day

Despite his diagnosis, Ah Chong hasn’t stopped working. Every morning, he wakes up at around 1.30am before driving a rented van to Subang USJ to collect bread and soy milk.

Despite being diagnosed with cancer, Ah Chong is still working hard to ensure that his wife and children are taken care of.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer, Ah Chong is still working hard to ensure that his wife and children are taken care of.
Image credits: Uncle Kentang

By 5am, he’s already selling outside Menara TRX. After 10am, he heads to Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya, where he continues working until around 5pm, only making it home after 7pm.

To make matters harder, he also has to pay RM58 every day to rent his van, whether he’s able to work or not. For Ah Chong, taking a break simply isn’t an option.

If he doesn’t work, there is no income. Without income, there’s no rent, no groceries, and no way to support the family depending on him.

Here’s how you can help

Hoping to ease Ah Chong’s burden, Uncle Kentang is appealing to the public for help to fund his CT scan.

Those who wish to contribute can do so via:

CIMB: 8010624732
Pertubuhan Amal Uncle Kentang Malaysia
Reference: CT Scan

Donations can also be made viaTouch ‘n Go. Donors are encouraged to send their payment receipt to 018-2683999.

Even while facing one of the biggest challenges of his life, Ah Chong’s greatest concern wasn’t himself, but making sure his family would be okay. Sometimes, love isn’t measured by grand gestures.

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