Dubai community unites online to help fund toddler Ayaan’s life-saving transplant.
Dubai: On September 10, Abbie Kadom shared an appeal on the Hope Amel Instagram page highlighting the urgent case of two-year-old Ayaan, who needed a bone marrow transplant. The response was swift. Within just three days, donors had pledged Dh390,000, and in less than a week, the total reached Dh405,000.
More than 100 individual contributions were made, with the funds transferred directly to the hospital providing Ayaan’s treatment.
Ayaan’s health struggles began even before his birth. He has faced a series of serious medical complications over the years, eventually leading to a diagnosis of leukaemia.
His father, Bashir Ahmad, is Pakistani, while his mother, Rahmawati Bin Kartah, is Indonesian. The couple also have an older son, five-year-old Sultan.
Earning less than Dh5,000 a month, Bashir has made significant financial sacrifices to cover Ayaan’s medical expenses. He has used most of his savings and even sold the family home in Pakistan to help pay for his son’s treatment. Alongside his job at a car rental company, he has taken on additional shifts cleaning vehicles to support his family and meet the mounting costs.
Abbie, an Iraqi-Canadian, established Hope Amel six years ago while working full-time as head of people at a Dubai-based aviation company. Run entirely by volunteers, the community supports mothers and families experiencing financial difficulties across the UAE. Its assistance ranges from school supplies, strollers and baby formula to clothes, toys, household necessities and Ramadan food boxes.
Since its establishment, Hope Amel has helped more than 40,000 families. Abbie learned about Ayaan’s situation through a friend and fellow Hope Amel volunteer who knew his father, Bashir.
“I heard about Ayaan through a friend who also volunteers with Hope Amel. Once I got in touch and learned more about his situation, I knew I couldn’t simply ignore it. I shared his story hoping it would reach people willing to help, but what followed was only possible because of the incredible support from everyone involved,” Abbie said.
How the support came together
Rather than organising a formal fundraiser or handling any of the donations herself, Abbie used her platform to spread the word about Ayaan’s situation. She shared his story with her 14,000 Instagram followers and a close-knit network of volunteers, directing those who wished to contribute to make payments straight to the hospital.
Independently confirmed with Burjeel Medical City that the donations were transferred towards Ayaan’s bone marrow transplant.
Abbie said she was amazed by how quickly the community responded. Within just a few days, people contributed whatever they could, while others who were unable to donate helped by sharing Ayaan’s story online.
She said every contribution and share played a role in reaching the goal, demonstrating how people can come together to support a child they have never met. For Abbie, the overwhelming response was also a reminder of why Hope Amel continues its work — even in difficult circumstances, strangers can unite to give a family renewed hope.
Abbie said Ayaan’s story showed how Dubai residents can come together in difficult times, with complete strangers stepping forward to support the family as though they were their own.
“Many people in Dubai live far away from their homes and loved ones, and some may not have a support system to rely on. That is why it is important for us, as a community, to look out for one another like family. Ayaan’s story showed what can happen when people unite behind a common cause — together, they can help transform a child’s life,” Abbie said.
The anonymous donor behind a Dh202,530 contribution
Contributions began arriving from across the community, ranging from Dh100 and Dh1,000 to larger amounts. Every donation, regardless of its size, brought Ayaan’s family another step closer to securing the treatment he urgently needed.
Then came a single contribution that dramatically changed the situation.
Abbie said Ayaan’s story showed how Dubai residents can come together in difficult times, with complete strangers stepping forward to support the family as though they were their own.
“Many people in Dubai live far away from their homes and loved ones, and some may not have a support system to rely on. That is why it is important for us, as a community, to look out for one another like family. Ayaan’s story showed what can happen when people unite behind a common cause — together, they can help transform a child’s life,” Abbie said.
The anonymous donor behind a Dh202,530 contribution
Contributions began arriving from across the community, ranging from Dh100 and Dh1,000 to larger amounts. Every donation, regardless of its size, brought Ayaan’s family another step closer to securing the treatment he urgently needed.
Then came a single contribution that dramatically changed the situation.
Abbie recalled the extraordinary generosity of an anonymous donor who came across Ayaan’s story on social media and immediately contributed Dh202,530 towards his treatment.
“Someone who wishes to remain anonymous saw Ayaan’s story online and donated Dh202,530 without a second thought. I was overwhelmed by such an incredible act of kindness. It felt as though an angel had stepped in to help. Knowing that someone could give such a substantial amount to a child they had never met is something I will always remember. That single donation helped us reach our target within days and reminded us that Ayaan was not alone in his fight,” Abbie said.
Ayaan is currently receiving treatment at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital in Dubai, where he is undergoing two weeks of intensive chemotherapy after doctors identified a new mass. Once this phase of treatment is completed, he is expected to be transferred to Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi for his bone marrow transplant.
From premature birth to a leukaemia diagnosis
Ayaan’s medical challenges began even before he was born, when complications during his mother’s pregnancy led to an emergency delivery.
Bashir recalled that his wife was approximately 32 weeks pregnant when doctors referred her for a scan. While the couple were travelling home, they received an urgent call from the hospital asking them to return immediately.
“When we got back, the doctors informed us that there was a serious complication. Our baby was struggling to breathe and needed to be delivered as soon as possible,” Bashir explained.
With his wife experiencing severe pain and the family unable to afford the deposits demanded by private hospitals, they sought medical assistance at Latifa Hospital.
According to Bashir, doctors immediately recognised the seriousness of the situation. At around 9am the following morning, his wife underwent an emergency Caesarean section, and Ayaan was born.
“Both my wife and our baby survived, which was an enormous relief. However, the doctors soon informed us that Ayaan had several serious health complications,” he said.
Born prematurely, Ayaan had multiple medical conditions affecting his chest, breathing, heart, eyes and arms. His fragile condition required him to spend 37 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The prolonged hospital stay left the family facing medical expenses of approximately Dh95,000, placing an enormous financial burden on Bashir.
“I had almost exhausted my savings. I borrowed money, sold my car and did everything possible to settle the hospital bills so I could finally bring my son home. Doctors also discovered that Ayaan had blood-related complications and was unable to feed normally. He has relied on a feeding tube since birth,” Bashir said.
Months after returning home, Ayaan’s health began to deteriorate again. Concerned about his condition, Bashir took him to a private clinic, where a doctor advised the family to consult a blood specialist without delay.
“When the doctors examined him, they immediately realised how serious his condition was. Ayaan was then able to receive the treatment he urgently needed,” Bashir said.
Ayaan was also diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Then, on December 25, the family received another devastating diagnosis: leukaemia.
“My heart sank when I heard the news. The doctors encouraged me not to give up hope and assured me they would do everything possible to help him. Ayaan began chemotherapy and endured an extremely difficult course of treatment. After several months, we were finally told he could return home, although we still had to take him back every two weeks for blood tests and further treatment,” Bashir said.
But Ayaan’s medical challenges continued. Swelling and an abnormal mass developed between his nose and eye, indicating that the cancer had progressed. Doctors eventually recommended a bone marrow transplant, which could be carried out at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi at a cost of Dh390,000.
By then, Bashir had exhausted almost all of his financial resources.
“I had built a house back home in Pakistan because I hoped it would provide some security for my family in the future. Instead, I had to sell it so I could continue paying for my son’s treatment. I had hoped to receive around Dh250,000 for the property, but because of the circumstances, I managed to get only about Dh170,000. I gave everything I had,” he said.
It was at this critical moment that Abbie and the Hope Amel community stepped in. By sharing Ayaan’s story and reaching out to their wider network, they helped bring his situation to the attention of thousands of people.
In less than a week, the community came together to raise more than Dh400,000 towards his treatment. For Bashir, the overwhelming response from people — many of whom had never met Ayaan or his family — remains an extraordinary act of generosity for which he says he is deeply grateful.
Funds secured, but Ayaan’s recovery journey is far from over
Although the money needed for Ayaan’s transplant has been raised, the family continues to face significant emotional, practical and financial challenges.
Bashir is currently on unpaid leave as he struggles to balance caring for his son with supporting the rest of his family.
“It has become increasingly difficult to keep working while also being present for Ayaan at the hospital. I now need to stay in Abu Dhabi to care for him, while my wife remains in Dubai with our older son, who is yet to start school,” Bashir said.
The money raised will cover the bone marrow transplant and approximately 100 days of related medical care. However, the family’s expenses will continue well beyond the procedure. Ayaan is expected to require post-transplant care, additional tests and medical procedures, along with everyday essentials such as milk, nappies, feeding-tube supplies and medication.
For Bashir, his greatest wish is simply to give his son the chance to experience a normal childhood.
“I am not asking for a luxurious life. I just want things to be easier for Ayaan and my family, and I want to see him enjoy being a child,” he said.
For now, the family remains deeply grateful to everyone who came forward to support them.
“Alhamdulillah, thanks to the generosity of so many people, the amount required for the transplant has now been covered. It is difficult to put into words what their support means to me. Everyone who helped Ayaan has become part of our family’s journey. We are now waiting for the appointment and for his transplant treatment to begin,” Bashir said.
