A Healthcare Worker Battling Pancreatic Cancer Tragically Passes Away
34-year-old Rabina Aslam lost her battle to a rare form of pancreatic cancer before having the chance to try new treatment. A healthcare worker from Erdington, Aslam spent almost a decade helping sick patients at Heartlands Hospital but passed away on November 23rd.
Up to £14,000 was raised for the mother of one to have pioneering Nanoknife treatment, only used when traditional methods are deemed ineffective. The money raised so far will be put into a trust fund for her five-year-old son Araam if he attends university in the future.
“I saw her the night before she died, and for the first time in a long time she looked really peaceful,” said friend Maya, who started the fundraising campaign.
“She wasn’t able to get the treatment as the cancer had spread too quickly.
“We had a good chat and decided we are going to put the money into a Trust fund for her son. She has a very good family, and he won’t go without, but his future was a worry for her.
“She is an inspiration. Nothing was ever too much for her, and she was caring and compassionate.
“I felt numb after I found out she had died. I hate cancer. She was too young to die.”
Aslam contracted a very rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour in October 2013, doctors at the time estimated she had around two years left to live. Maya now hopes to reach £20,000 on the fundraiser page in Aslam’s memory, in October she also ran the Great Birmingham Run to further raise money for her friend and intends to continue her efforts.
“I would love to reach £20,000,” added Maya. “Rabina was a real grafter and a brilliant mother, and even went back to work for a couple of hours a week a couple of months before she died.
“She refused to give up.
“Running the half marathon was really emotional. I was overwhelmed, and was struggling up the final hill to Five Ways. But I thought about how the pain was nothing to what Rabina had been going through.
“The strength and determination she showed to the end will always be with me.”
To donate to Maya’s fundraising page visit: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0pUT3
