While most newborns are welcomed into the world with soft cries and warm embraces, Nur Amaya Rose binti Mohd Ariff, now only 3 years old, began her life in a very different way — in a battle for survival.

Immediately after birth, doctors diagnosed Amaya with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) — a serious condition that affects the structure and function of the heart.

To make things even more complicated, Amaya was born without an anal opening. She had to undergo emergency surgery and live with a stoma bag since day one. Her life didn’t begin with toys or laughter — but with machines, feeding tubes, and the silent tears of her parents.

For the first 7 months of her life, Amaya remained in the NICU at Tunku Azizah Hospital. She wasn’t even allowed to go outside after discharge due to a CRE virus infection, which left her extremely vulnerable to infections.

Her daily life is unlike that of other toddlers.

Her body is weak. She falls sick easily. Her weight gain is slow due to unstable oxygen levels. If she moves too much, her lips and fingers turn blue — a frightening sign that her heart is struggling to cope.

Even eating is a challenge — she still depends on a feeding tube inserted directly into her stomach. She’s only just starting to try small amounts of food orally, little by little.

Each day, her parents must provide intense care: monitoring her temperature and oxygen, maintaining strict hygiene, and keeping her indoors. She can’t be in crowded places, exposed to heat, or be too active like other children.

But Amaya still needs a life-saving heart surgery to survive:

• Right & Left Heart Catheterisation with Coil

• Embolisation of Collateral Vessel + TOF Simple

This procedure will require life-support equipment during surgery — and the deposit alone costs RM27,920 (~USD 6,000+), a sum far beyond what her parents can afford.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, all their savings have been drained for her past medical care. Now, even her daily essentials like special milk, medication, and care supplies rely on her parents’ modest incomes.

Amaya’s story is one of strength and hope — a little girl who, despite her many challenges, continues to smile. As if she understands how precious life truly is.

Today, we ask for your help. Even a small donation can bring light to Amaya’s difficult journey — and help her keep fighting for the chance to live like other children.

Please help Amaya keep her heart beating.