When the once mighty race walker G Saravanan needed strength, the nation lent its soul.
Malaysians donated nearly RM100,000 in days, every ringgit a pulse of solidarity for his battle with the incurable motor neurone disease (MND).
The donors spanned every rung of society. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim led the way with RM10,000.
Past sports personalities made contributions born of camaraderie and respect.
Ordinary citizens raced to the aid of the 54-year-old golden race walker.
Each donation, no matter the size, carried the power of community care.
The health ministry moved swiftly to offer free physiotherapy, which Saravanan needs daily to prevent further deterioration of his condition.
The therapy perfect physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre in Penang volunteered services until government assistance kicks in.
For Saravanan, the deluge of support was deeply personal. “Your kindness gives me strength,” he said, his slurred voice thick with gratitude.
Then, with the same quiet fierceness that carried him to the gold medal in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, he declared: “Let me be the last athlete in Malaysia to suffer alone from MND.”
The multiple Southeast Asian Games medallist in the 20km and 50km fought MND in isolation since 2021, and had run out of money for treatment.
Rather than retreat into privacy, he chose to share his diagnosis and prognosis with the nation through an interview with FMT.
He spoke of his life expectancy of about five years, and the moment he realised that silence would perpetuate ignorance.
“If I stay quiet, no one learns; if I speak up, maybe someone somewhere gets help sooner.”
His solitary fight soon turned into a nation’s care for a vulnerable sporting hero.
“This outpouring is more than charity; it is a declaration of shared responsibility.
“It symbolises empathy and a refusal to let one of their own fight alone,” said Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed, the former chairman of the national athletes foundation (Yakeb).
He said the seamless collaboration between the media, public bodies, private individuals, and grassroots networks demonstrated what can happen when compassion drives action.
Turning personal struggle into a national mission
Saravanan has called for greater awareness of MND and the crucial support needed for those stricken.
In a letter to the prime minister, he urged the government to invest in research, screenings and partnerships to ensure no one endures the battle with the disease alone.
He emphasised the importance of national campaigns and protocols for early detection, which can significantly impact the quality of life for patients.
One of Saravanan’s key proposals is the establishment of specialised MND care centres in the country.
He said these centres should be equipped with advanced facilities and staffed by neurologists, physiotherapists, psychologists, speech therapists and palliative care experts.
By leveraging the strengths and resources of the public and private sectors, comprehensive care and support for MND patients can be made more accessible, he added.
He said such partnerships could also drive advancements in research, treatment and rehabilitation.
Saravanan’s plea is more than a personal request. It is a clarion call to protect the health of every athlete who dares to push the limits of human endurance.
Scientists have linked intense exercise with MND risk.
In his prime, Saravanan walked over 5,000km a year, and sometimes covered 55km a day in preparation for competitions.
MND warriors in Malaysia
Around 1,000 people in Malaysia are diagnosed with MND yearly, based on world health organisation data of 20-30 people per 100,000 population.
Presently, limited services for MND sufferers are provided by Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz.
Saravanan’s public battle with MND has significantly raised awareness about the disease, said MND Malaysia chairman Benny Ng.
He said Saravanan’s profile as a celebrated athlete ignited a national conversation about the challenges faced by those grappling with MND.
“By celebrating heroes like G Saravanan, we hope to inspire compassion, understanding, and unity across communities,” Ng said.
Before Saravanan, the most high-profile case of a sports figure with MND was football legend Mokhtar Dahari.
Mokhtar fought the disease for three years before he died at 39 in 1991.
MND takes away people’s ability to walk, speak, eat, manipulate objects and even breathe – all of the things we take for granted.
As the condition progresses, messages from the brain gradually stop reaching the muscles, which in turn weaken, stiffen and eventually waste away. Most patients die within two to four years of diagnosis.
Ng said that, according to his organisation’s records, the youngest person to succumb to MND was a 21-year-old woman from Johor Bahru last year.
“Another woman was 32 when she was diagnosed with MND, and now she is 42, and an ambassador of MND Malaysia,” he added.
Ng said there were more than 100 MND warriors in his society’s WhatsApp group, and “thanks to Saravanan we have had more people calling us”.
MND Malaysia, formed in 2014, provides care, support, and advocacy for people living with MND and their loved ones.
New-found family
For M Sassikala, watching her husband’s health deteriorate has been “so hard” for her and their three children.
Now, she is glad that they have the comfort of many Malaysians who have provided a supportive network.
She said what happened for Saravanan can be viewed as the strengthening of the social fabric.
“When media shine a light on need, citizens respond. When leaders give not only funds but also institutional support, momentum builds.
“When a community recognises its shared stake in each member’s well-being, there is hope and solidarity,” Sassikala said.
