Of giving back, with Shumaila Farooq

Cancer treatment may be a longshot for many Pakistanis but one woman is working day in and day out to bridge that gap

When Shumaila’s son Arsal was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscles) back in 2011, she was utterly distraught. The treatment involved seven cycles of chemotherapy and the doctors gave up, Arsal being assigned to the Intensive Care Unit.

Shumaila recalls that her mind went completely blank when she first heard the doctors’ statements and as Arsal fought for his life on the ventilator, she broke down and prayed. “God, if my son recovers, I will do something for the needy suffering from this deadly disease,” she kept saying. Just two weeks later, Shumaila’s prayers were answered and Arsal was taken off the ventilator.

During the rest of his treatment, the family decided to fulfil the promise Shumaila had made and came up with the idea of utilising Facebook to reach the masses.  And so began what is now an online community of more than 15,000 followers, trading jewellery and accessories to raise money for financially challenged cancer patients. “N.M.N and Co works exclusively for children suffering from cancer but deprived of adequate treatment due to economic pressures,” says Shumaila. “It is our way of doing our bit for others. The page is a 100% charity-based operation and every single penny earned is directed towards the Children’s Cancer Hospital (CCH). We don’t take any salary or share from the profits.”

Shumaila recalls the early days before the launch of N.M.N and Co and how many of her friends mocked the idea openly. Later on, one of them joined in and helped Shumaila purchase jewellery to sell on the page. “Our first order was for accessories worth Rs200 and once they were sold, we began jumping with happiness!” she says. It was only after the first deal that Shumaila’s other friends began to take interest.

Now, with the help of two close friends, Kausar and Naureen Safdar, Shumaila has expanded the N.M.N and Co banner across Pakistan and abroad as well. Her siblings help by providing the material for sale from the US, including jewellery, bags, head scarves and cosmetics. The merchandise is then sold on the Facebook page for one-fourth of its original price. There are also foreign volunteers to deal with customers ordering from outside of Pakistan. “So far, we have earned up to Rs 50 million over the last five years, given entirely to CCH,” shares Shumaila.

“Whenever I visited the hospital and met the cancer-struck children, I would remember the time Arsal was in their condition,” adds Shumaila. “I used to wonder about the helpless families who couldn’t afford treatment and therefore, established this Facebook page.” According to Naureen, Shumaila is doing a marvelous job as the manager. “Treating a cancer patient is not an easy task, but Shumaila has always believed in Sadqa-e-Jariah and is running the page just for a great cause.” Ironically, this lady who has been working tirelessly to help others beat cancer is now suffering from it herself. But despite her illness, Shumaila continues to work towards relieving people of this fatal disease forever.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, May 31^st, 2015.