PORT DICKSON: As with fathers all over the world, Jasni Mohd Noor's love for his children has no boundaries.
The 52-year-old relies on an oxygen tank to aid his breathing, but he did not let the condition get in his way from attending his eldest child's graduation at the 31st Convocation Ceremony at Port Dickson Polytechnic yesterday (Sept 27).
Jasni, who is also a lecturer at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic in Shah Alam, said he was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a year ago.
However, he did not let his deteriorating health stop him from attending the convocation ceremony for his daughter, Jemima Saffieya, who received her scroll in Diploma in Architecture.
"For me, what's most important is seeing the happiness on my eldest child's face.
"Jemima Saffieya is now pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Project Management at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), which she started a year ago, and I am proud of her strong determination.
"For now, I have had to take extended leave and hope it does not hinder the success of my children," he said.
Jasni was accompanied by his wife, Jamilah Abbas, 51, who is also a lecturer at the same university, as well as his two other sons when he attended the convocation ceremony.
Meanwhile, Jemima Saffieya said she was touched and proud of her father's determination and insistence on attending the event despite the challenges he faced.
"My father frequently called me throughout my studies here. After being diagnosed with such a serious illness, he was worried about how it might affect my focus on my studies.
"Nevertheless, I am proud of him and will always look up to him for his strong fighting spirit," she said.