“How will I know what cancer is? I have not studied. I do not even understand when they explain to me. I just know it is something to do with my son’s blood, and he could die because of it. When I do not know what it is, how can I tell my wife and child?”

Sravani and Anjaneyulu are daily wage laborers from a village in Guntur district. The family must work all day long to earn one decent meal. In such a condition, their 2-year-old son fell sick. He has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Sravani and Anjaneyulu do not have the means to pay for the treatment that can save his life.

This 2-year-old never had a bed at home, and now he is on the hospital bed

“Fever usually goes in a few days. We do not have to do anything except keep warm and drink kashaya. This is what villagers do. If we go to the doctor get English medicines, we won’t be able to buy food for a week. That is why we have the elders treat the children. My son’s fever did not reduce for weeks. We had no choice but to go to the doctor.”

Prescription medicines from the rural clinic did not help Krishna. The child, who was always bubbly and chatty, fell completely silent and would not get off his mat on the floor. Alarmed, the parents rushed him to a hospital in Vijayawada only to hear that Krishna has blood cancer.

Young mother is delighted that her son gets a glimpse of luxury at the hospital

“My son can’t even speak. He cries when needles are put in. He does not understand what is happening and is very scared of doctors. I also feel this way. He is happy that there is AC here and loves the comfortable bed. He enjoys the food because he has never eaten all this at home. We cannot afford to buy meat or cook good rice also.”

Sravani is a young woman who gave birth to Krishna when she was just 19. She dropped out of school years ago and cannot even read the bills. She is confused about what is happening and fears for her child’s life.

Krishna’s father does not understand cancer and its implications

“Doctor explained it to me, but I cannot understand. I did not tell my wife also. We all feel it is a terrible fever. Even Krishna thinks he has a fever. I know it could kill him, and he needs some medicines but these medicines also make him sick.”

Krishna is on chemotherapy. He also needs blood every few days. He cries and screams at the sight of a needle, and cringes away from doctors. His mother, Sravani, has not left his bedside even for a minute.

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Travelling to the city, buying food and water outside, and paying for tests left them with no money. Anjaneyulu borrowed from petty loan sharks to pay Rs. 1 lakh and get the treatment started. Krishna is responding well and can recover, provided there is no pause in his treatment.

“I make Rs. 100/day. Every day that we are here at the hospital, we lose money. I can only repay the loans after I go back, work and earn. In this, I have to arrange for Rs. 10L to complete Krishna’s treatment. Thankfully, my food expenses are lower. My wife and I are staying at the hospital with our son. The hospital provides free food for both. I have to only spend for my meal, and I sometimes skip so I can buy medicines.”

Currently, Anjaneyulu has Rs. 4000 with him, again borrowed from villagers back home. Even if he starves himself to save up for Krishna’s treatment, he will not have enough.

Your contribution can save baby Krishna from cancer