“I lost my husband, 6 months after our daughter was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. He had been racked with guilt about not being able to afford her medicines that cost Rs 40,000 a month and suffered a massive heart attack. From then I have been struggling to keep Harshitha alive. She is my only kid, and I cannot afford to lose her. But I also cannot afford the transplant that can save her.”- Geetha, mother

After 5 years of fighting, Harshitha condition became critical and she collapsed in the class

Harshitha lived a happy life with her parents Geetha and Balu, both agricultural laborers in Krishnagiri. Right from childhood, she was adored by everybody around for her sweet speech and smartness. In 2014, she was diagnosed with kidney damage for which she was on steroids. Even though the medicines caused her body to swell up so much that she cannot even walk, Harishitha continues to be the topper of her class. In fact, her teachers at Holy Cross School, Krishnagiri, had always raved about how well she would do in the board exams years before she even reached 10th grade. But when the time came finally, everything went haywire. A few weeks back, Harshitha collapsed in class and had to be rushed to the hospital.

“I was working in the farm when teachers told me Harshitha is in the hospital and very serious. Devastating news was waiting for me there; doctors told me that both her kidneys were a 100% damaged and that she would need an urgent transplant soon. I burst out crying because I know how hard I have to work to afford two square meals every day, how would I pay for her transplant?”-Geetha

This mother has not had proper food in weeks, wants to save her daughter at any cost

Ever since Harshitha has been admitted in the ICU, Geetha has not stopped crying. Every time she looks at her daughter – weak with her body swollen all over, hardly able to speak, and even move a bit – she feels that she is the reason why this has happened. Hence, she has stopped eating completely, and only has juices or small snacks.
 

“I cannot eat anything when my daughter is struggling to eat even a spoon of rice congee. She is supposed to eat high protein food like eggs, paneer, etc. But I can’t even afford that. I think I am the curse to this family – my husband has already left me and now I think my daughter will follow him too. If that happens, there won’t be any reason for me to stay back in this world. I’ll also die,”-Geetha, with tears in her eyes.

How you can help

Harshitha’s condition is so bad that she needs dialysis 3 times a week in order to survive. The smell of blood nauseates her and the constant pricking of needles put her in pain, but it’s the only reason why she’s alive now. When Harshitha does talk to her mother on rare occasions, she tells her, “Amma, save me, I want to become an IAS officer.”

“I make Rs 90 a day as a laborer in a farm. They pay me less because I am a woman. I live in my elder sister's house. My husband's relatives took away all our land and money after he died. I have nobody to help me save my daughter." 

This mother needs your support to save her only child