“Here I am, so far away from home with a sick child, who is unaware that he is fighting for his life. He never cries, never complains, or never questions me when I bring him to the hospital for treatment. He hasn’t even seen the world properly yet, and this deadly disease threatens to snatch him away from us. He’s only an innocent child. Why does he have to go through this?” - Jitendra, father

A stomach pain led to the discovery of a cancerous tumour on his kidney

A little over two weeks ago, 3-year-old Nikunj started having severe stomach pains. In no point in his life had the little boy ever seemed so gravely ill, which is why it alarmed his parents.

“I immediately took him to a local clinic where they recommended an ultrasound, and that’s how we found out he had a small growth just above his right kidney. On further tests, we learned that it is a cancerous tumor. The doctor told us that stomach pains are usually not a symptom for this disease, and it was surprising that Nikunj had felt them. So in a way, we were lucky to have caught it early...” - Jitendra, father

He has a cancerous lump near his kidney

Nikunj was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a cancer that forms in the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys and commonly affects children below 5 years of age. He needs to undergo 8 cycles of chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, followed by a surgery to remove the lump in his abdomen.

“Coming from a small village in Gwalior, we’ve never come across a disease as serious as cancer. I’ve only ever heard or read about it, but never in my life did I think that I’d have to watch a loved one suffer from it. The doctors assured us that my son will get better with timely treatment. But without the means to afford it, I’m struggling to keep his treatment going…” - Jitendra

Only a farmer, he cannot bear his son’s medical expenses

Nikunj is currently being administered his first cycle of chemotherapy. Only prolonged treatment will ensure his recovery, but his father can never meet the exorbitant price it comes at. A farmer by profession, Jitendra makes a meagre income that is enough to run the household. Nikunj’s mother Pooja would often help out whenever she could, but lately she has been indisposed due to her pregnancy. Jitendra has already used up all his resources in his son’s treatment so far, and is now in a desperate predicament.

“We had been eagerly waiting for the newest addition of our family to join us. But the joy in my heart instantly dissipated with news of my son’s illness. It has been very rough on me too, because I’m single-handedly looking after my child. I’ve had to withhold his cancer diagnosis from my wife, because her condition is fragile as she is in her 8th month of pregnancy. I just want to save my son from the grips of this disease, but I’m failing to afford the treatment that can cure him…” - Jitendra

16 lakhs is an impossible amount for this father to bear. His son is braving through a dangerous battle, and he’s at a dead end. He needs your help. Your contributions can support Nikunj in his treatment.