Iraqi father’s heartfelt plea to save five-year-old son with rare muscle disease

An Iraqi father, Saban Hassan, 42, is desperately seeking funds to save his five-year-old son, Ali, who has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive genetic disorder called Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The disease causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, and the family living in Iraq has been informed that a potential gene therapy treatment costs Dh10.6 million ($2.9 million), an amount far beyond their means.

Ali's condition was first noticed due to communication and behavior issues, including hyperactivity. After undergoing neurological evaluations for two years, a genetic test from a sample sent to Al Jalila Children's Hospital in Dubai confirmed the diagnosis. The family is devastated, knowing that Ali may only have a year left to live if treatment does not begin soon.

Saban Hassan has launched a fundraising drive, but his efforts in Iraq only managed to raise 2% of the required amount. Despite numerous rejections, he remains determined to raise the funds and has turned to the UAE, where the treatment is available, as well as other parts of the world.