Help 7-Year-Old Whose Aggressive Cancer Has Spread To His Brain

“One morning, our son woke up and couldn’t move his left hand and leg. He was terrified and didn’t understand what was happening to him. He tried to move his hand again, and looked at me crying ‘Amma, what is happening to me? I can’t lift my hand!’ My worst fear came true. It was just few days ago that he was diagnosed with cancer and we were struggling to make arrangements for his treatment. Now, the left side of his body became paralyzed because the deadly cancer had spread to his brain” – Sudha, 7-year-old Bharath’s mother

Once an active and happy child, Bharath now lays motionless in the hospital

Bharath returned home from school one day, complaining of a severe headache. When his neighbourhood friends called him out to play badminton with them, he refused. Sudha was worried. Bharath had never said no to his friends. There have been days when he insisted on playing with his friends even though he had a fever, but this time, he went straight to bed. Soon, Bharath started vomiting uncontrollably.

“We took him to a doctor nearby, and Bharath was given a few tablets. But even after one week, he wasn’t getting better. All this while I thought it was something he had eaten, but the test results revealed that he has blood cancer. The doctor took Shashi into the room, while Bharath and I waited outside. I kept looking at the door, waiting for my husband to come out. I will never forget the look on his face when he walked out of the door. It was like someone had sucked the life out of him. While Bharath played on the phone, I walked up to him and he said just one word - cancer.”

Even in pain, all Bharath wants to do is go back to school - But he won't make it without chemotherapy 

Since July 27, Bharath has been undergoing chemotherapy. His cancer has spread to his brain, paralyzing the left side of his body. With treatment, he has regained slight movement of his left hand and leg, but his fight isn't over. Despite all his pain, he wakes up every day asking his mother when he can go to school again. He asks about his friends and says that once he leaves the hospital, he will buy a new badminton racket to play. However, he might never get to go back without treatment. Chemotherapy is the only thing that can save him now.

Despite working all day and night, his helpless father can’t continue his life-saving treatment

Shashi Kumar wakes up early every morning to see his son in the hospital. He then goes to work at the factory, and tirelessly works all day and sometimes, even all night. Shashi longs to be with his son, but with each passing day, they’re struggling to afford his treatment. Sudha and Shashi are devastated that their son’s life has only been about tests and injections for the past few weeks and that despite all their efforts, they can't save him.

“I look at his old photos when I’m alone and can’t help but cry. He was so happy and active. Now my son can’t move from his bed without our help. Cancer has taken away everything from him. We’ve begged and borrowed from many people, we’ve tried every way to arrange for money, but it was only enough to start his treatment. I work on a contract basis, so there are days when I come back home empty-handed. Under these circumstances, I have no way to continue my son’s treatment.” – Shashi

How You Can Help

Bharath needs continued treatment to survive chemotherapy. Cancer has left him weak and motionless. His parents put up a brave face in front of him, and quietly cry when they’re overwhelmed by the emotional and financial burden of his disease. They’re doing everything they can to save him, but they can’t save Bharath without your help. Timely treatment is the only way he can fight cancer and go back to being the jovial child he was.

Your support will save Bharath’s life.

Supporting Document

The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.

Click here to save 7-year-old Bharath.