“She wakes up every morning and asks me ‘mamma, no chemo today?’ and then she quietly takes her medicines and wears her mask. She doesn’t know she has cancer, but she’s been to the hospital so often, that she knows the name of all her medicines and treatment. This has been her life for one year now. She’s in the hospital every week for checkups, she has numerous medicines to take every day, and on some days, she’s too weak to even move. Cancer has consumed my daughter’s life, but she’s remained brave throughout. Sadly, after one long year of treatment, I can no longer afford to save her.”

Harini walks into the hospital firmly holding her mother, Jennifer’s hand. When people there ask them how her cancer treatment is going, Harini looks at Jennifer puzzled. Jennifer quietly takes them aside and tells them that her 9-year-old daughter doesn’t know she has cancer and thinks she’s getting treated for a cough and wheezing. Little Harini is too young to understand the implications of blood cancer, but Jennifer cries herself to sleep every night at the thought of losing her only child to the dreadful disease.

Little Harini has remained brave through the pain of cancer, but her fight isn’t over yet

For 8 years now, Jennifer has brought up Harini with help from her sister and mother. When Harini was diagnosed with cancer last year in April, Jennifer couldn’t believe that fate had dealt such a cruel hand to her daughter who was already struggling with the absence of her father. However, Harini proved to be Jennifer’s strength.

“She loved her long hair, and when I told she’ll have to cut it off because of her treatment, she was very upset. She didn't understand why, but she never complained. We both cried a lot that day, and I knew this was just the beginning of her fight. She has endured everything bravely so far. She listens to what the doctors tell her to do and never creates a fuss. Even in pain, all she wants to do is go to school.”

Harini has had chemotherapy for 4 days every week for the past one year now. However, her fight is long from being over. Harini needs to continue chemotherapy for the next 2 years to finally be free from the pain and misery of cancer.

With no financial support from her husband, Jennifer is struggling to continue Harini’s treatment

Harini now goes for checkups to the hospital every week and has chemotherapy once a month. Despite everything, she still insists on going to school. It’s her happy place, a place where she can finally be away from the disease that can take away her life at any moment without treatment. In the past one year, Jennifer has spent nearly 16 lakhs on treatment by borrowing from friends and family, but with no income and no financial aid from Harini’s father, she’s helpless.

“My husband was a taxi driver, but he left us years ago. He visits Harini sometimes, but he hasn’t supported us with anything. Harini never asks for him, and we have now built a life of our own. She spends all day writing stories and poetry. When she notices that I’m a little sad, she runs to me and tells me about the stories she’s written. It’s her way of making sure I’m okay. She’s my biggest strength, my everything. All I pray is that she is saved from cancer.

How You Can Help

Harini needs continued chemotherapy to survive cancer. Jennifer, a single mother, can’t afford to give her only child the life-saving treatment despite her best efforts. After spending lakhs on her treatment already, Jennifer is helpless. All Harini wants to do is wake up every day feeling strong and to see her mother smile again. Harini can only beat cancer with your help.

Your support will save Harini’s life.