UAE Family Racing Against Time to Fund Dh10 Million Life-Saving Treatment for Son
Seven-year-old Zayyan is a bright, curious boy whose world is rapidly shrinking due to a devastating diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). For years, his parents, Jagfar and Jasmine, searched for answers as their son struggled with developmental milestones, only to discover that his muscles are progressively degenerating. The family has been informed that the only hope to halt this irreversible condition is a specialized gene therapy known as Elevidys. However, the treatment comes with a staggering price tag of over Dh10.6 million, a figure that is far beyond the reach of the Sharjah-based expatriate family.
With time working against them, Zayyan’s condition continues to decline, and doctors warn that the therapy will lose its effectiveness if he loses the ability to walk. While the Al Jalila Foundation has stepped in to authorize local fundraising efforts, the family has only managed to raise a fraction of the total cost so far. Driven by a mother’s relentless devotion, Jasmine has transformed from a private homemaker into an impassioned advocate, leading a desperate public campaign to save her son's mobility and future. The parents are now pleading for community support, hoping to secure the funds before the window of opportunity to save Zayyan’s health closes forever.