Five-year-old Amily Rose has been diagnosed  Binti Rahmad with Second-Degree Heart Block and Severe Bradycardia — a life-threatening condition that caused her heart to beat dangerously slow. Doctors warned that without immediate surgery to implant a permanent pacemaker, she could suffer sudden cardiac death in her sleep.

The surgery has now been successfully completed, but Amily’s family urgently needs help to raise RM25,000 in medical expenses.

A Mother Living in Fear

Amily’s mother, Farah Nabila Binti Hamdar , shared her heartbreaking journey.

Amily was born through a smooth and natural delivery. Labor began at 6:00 a.m., she arrived at the hospital at 9:30 a.m., and by 10:30 a.m., Amily was safely delivered. There were no complications, no warning signs — just a healthy, beautiful baby girl.

“She has always been a thoughtful and loving child,” Farah said. “She is cheerful, caring, and the joy of our family.”

During the pandemic, when Amily was one year old, she was hospitalized for recurring fever. Doctors noted high white blood cells and low red blood cells, prescribing folic acid supplements. There were no signs of heart abnormalities at that time. Since then, she had only experienced minor seasonal flu and cough — nothing serious.

Everything changed in early January this year.

Amily suddenly developed redness and swelling around her ankle joints. Doctors initially diagnosed eczema and prescribed steroid and antibiotic creams. But on January 7, when rashes appeared on her face, Farah brought her back to the clinic — and that was when doctors made a shocking discovery.

Her heartbeat was abnormally slow.

An ECG revealed Second-Degree Heart Block and Bradycardia.

Doctors immediately referred Amily to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for further evaluation. After detailed examinations, specialists confirmed that her heart’s electrical conduction system was severely impaired. Emergency surgery was required.

“Doctors told me that while she sleeps, her heart rate could drop to as low as 20 beats per minute,” Farah said tearfully. “For a child her age, the normal heart rate should be between 90 to 100 beats per minute.”

Since that day, Farah has hardly dared to sleep.

“Yes, I truly do not dare to sleep. When she sleeps, I stay awake all night watching her. I am afraid of regret. I am afraid I won’t have time to do anything if something happens. I usually sleep only three hours a day — and even then, I wake up in panic, fearing her heart may stop beating in her sleep.”

Doctors explained that when Amily enters deep sleep, her heart rate drops dangerously low. Farah constantly wakes her daughter or adjusts her sleeping position, trying desperately to prevent her from falling into deep sleep.

Yet during the day, Amily appears completely normal.

She goes to school. She wakes up, bathes, eats breakfast, attends classes, comes home for dinner, revises her lessons, and sleeps at 10 p.m. Like any other child.

“She looks so healthy and lively on the outside,” Farah said, her voice breaking. “But she is living with a ticking time bomb inside her chest. I feel helpless. I cannot take away her suffering. I cannot replace her in facing a lifetime of medical challenges.”

Racing Against Time

YVONNE YEE, Chief Executive Officer of CCEP FOUNDATION, explained that in children, Second-Degree Atrioventricular Block occurs when electrical signals from the heart’s upper chambers are partially blocked from reaching the lower chambers. In severe cases, it can progress to complete heart block and lead to fainting, organ failure, or even death.

Bradycardia in children means the heart rate falls below the normal range for their age. If the brain and organs do not receive sufficient oxygen due to a slow heartbeat, it becomes a medical emergency.

“Amily’s condition was critical. She was racing against time,” said YVONNE YEE. “There was no room for delay. A pacemaker had to be implanted immediately, or her life could have been lost at any moment.”

CCEP FOUNDATION stepped in urgently and negotiated with IJN. The Foundation issued a Letter of Guarantee so that Amily could undergo surgery without delay.

“We must save the child first. Fundraising can come later,” YVONNE YEE emphasized. “We are deeply grateful to IJN for their swift cooperation, which allowed Amily to safely complete her surgery.”

A Second Chance at Life — But Help Is Still Needed

Amily has now successfully received a permanent pacemaker. The surgery was completed safely, and she remains under close observation.

Her family prays for her full recovery — that she may grow up healthy and carefree, just like other children her age.

However, the financial burden remains heavy.

CCEP FOUNDATION humbly appeals to the public to help raise RM25,000 in medical expenses, so that Amily can continue receiving the necessary follow-up care without the weight of debt hanging over her family.

No amount is too small.

Every contribution is a heartbeat of hope.

Please extend your compassion and share this appeal widely. Together, we can ensure that little Amily — who has already fought so bravely — is given the chance to live, laugh, and dream safely once again.