For Bijay Chhetri, a waiter from Alipurduar, West Bengal, life has always been about his family. Every day, he worked tirelessly in a restaurant in Bangalore, serving customers with a smile, all the while carrying the heavy burden of being away from his loved ones. His aging parents, his wife, and his seven-year-old twins depended on him. Every plate he served, every long shift he endured, was for them.


The doctor said there was nothing serious and that the lump would vanish by itself

But life had a different plan for him. Last year, in January, a small lump appeared on the right side of his neck. A co-worker noticed it first, but Bijay thought little of it. However, concerned for his health, he visited a doctor.

“The doctor examined me, ran a few tests, and assured me that it was nothing serious. He prescribed some medicines and said the lump would disappear in a few days,” Bijay recalls.

The Doctor Gave Medicine For TB, But It Only Made Things Worse

But the lump didn’t go away. Instead, it grew, bringing with it a storm of uncertainty. Bijay went from doctor to doctor, seeking relief, but none could give him answers. After six months of frustration and pain, a doctor diagnosed him with Tuberculosis (TB). He was prescribed heavy medication, which only worsened his condition.

“For days, I couldn’t eat or sleep. The medicines made me so weak that I could barely stand. I knew something was terribly wrong, but I was too afraid to admit it,” says Bijay’s wife.

I Was Diagnosed With A Rare Cancer And I Could Still Only Think Of My Family

It was only after months of agony that another doctor finally suggested a biopsy. When the results came in, Bijay’s world collapsed. He had Stage 2 Nasopharyngeal cancer—a rare form of cancer that affects the part of the throat behind the nose.


For Many Days He Could Not Even Tell His Family Of His Condition

“When the doctor said the word ‘cancer,’ my whole body went numb. I couldn’t hear anything else. My children’s faces flashed before my eyes, and everything blurred with tears. For days, I couldn’t gather the courage to tell my family. How could I?” Bijay says, his voice breaking.

The Treatment Is Very Expensive, And They Cannot Afford It

When he finally told them, his wife was devastated. She sold her jewelry and borrowed money from villagers just to pay for his first chemotherapy session. But now, they are out of options. The cost of his treatment is estimated at Rs. 10 lakhs—an impossible sum for a man who once lived paycheck to paycheck.


He Has To Face The Choice Between His Medicine And His Family

“Whenever I call home, my family hides their pain from me. Even my little daughter, who always asked for small gifts, now only tells me to focus on my health. But I know the truth. I haven’t been able to send them money for months. I barely have Rs. 10,000 left. With this, I have to choose—buy medicines or take care of my family.”- Bijay regrets.

A Plea For Help

Bijay needs help. His fight has just begun, but he cannot do it alone. With your support, he can get the treatment he needs and return to the life he cherishes—the life where he can provide for his family, watch his children grow, and be there for the people who mean everything to him.

Please help Bijay. Every contribution counts. Click here to donate.