A treacherous year 

Coming from Kattupakkam, near Iyappanthangal, Divya's parents Tamilselvi and Lakshmipathy run a small shop where they iron clothes for a living. The father is not dependable and doesn't support the family right now. As for the mother, she developed post partum psychosis (a rare form of psychiatric illness that sets in suddenly after delivery) after giving birth to a second child, which got worse after losing the child to an infection. She hasn't been able to deal with Divya's diagnosis and is currently under treatment.

"She is too young to understand what's going on around her. All she knows is we are going to the hospital and back home. She is getting injections. Small things. But yes, it is difficult when her mother isn't around."

Lone fight for survival

"Two months ago, it began with a fever and suddenly Divya was not able to walk." The diagnostic tests revealed that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It sent the family's world spinning especially after the pain of losing a child and Tamilselvi's depression. Still, they focussed their efforts on getting this baby girl to brave this disease and fight through.
Baby Divya needs chemotherapy and additional treatment for a period of 2 years. "She has not responded well to initial treatment, the numbers are low. So the doctors have told us we need to start with aggressive chemo right away."

How can you help?

Now this little girl is being taken care of her grandmother (Vitta Bai), maternal uncle (Shiva), aunt (Tamilselvi) and maternal aunt's daughter (Bavani). The grandmother works as a maid, while most of the family iron clothes for a living. They are unable to afford even the subsidized costs due to their economic background. Treatment to save Baby Divya is estimated to cost Rs. 2.50 Lakhs.

Your support can make this battle less lonely to this little toddler.

Supporting Documents