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4 ½-year-old Mujahath Ali is known to have a smile that can infect anyone who looks him in the eye. This cheerful little boy has been diagnosed with a Stage IV tumor and needs aggressive treatment to have a chance of survival.
They were a happy family
Monsur Ali and Mafehun Nassa Bibi are a humble couple from Kolkata, living a very modest life. Their family felt complete when they had a baby boy over four years ago. He became the light of their life. “My husband makes plain sarees look beautiful. He embroiders them. He gets about Rs. 37 per hour. Regardless of how much we get a month, we are happy and content. To us, family mattered more. Mujahath’s smile, playfulness, our love for each other, that has made us stronger over the years.”
About a year ago, while bathing Mujahath, Mafehun felt an abnormal swelling in his buttock. When it began to grow in size, the worried mother took him to a local doctor who conducted a series of tests. They suspected a tumor and began treatment. The swelling did not subside, and became incredibly painful. “He could not even walk properly. He used to cry in pain. We kept telling the doctors there to help us. Regardless of what they did, it seemed to just get worse. So we brought him to Chennai.”
Fighting together against a terrible diagnosis
Again, Mujahath was taken through a whole panel of tests, examinations, CT scan and a biopsy. The parents received the news they were dreading to hear. Their baby boy had Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma (soft tissue tumor). He was immediately put through 12 weeks of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor, and has responded well so far. Mujahath now needs radiotherapy, and 6 more months of chemotherapy to beat this cancer.
“He does not know he is sick. Despite what he is going through, he is being enthusiastic and taken a place in everyone’s hearts. Mujahath’s eyes have gone red now. He does not eat anything. I think the illness and the medicines are affecting his appetite. He does not say anything. He just does not eat. Like other children, he is not afraid of doctors. Here the doctors are so loving towards him. They give me a lot of hope and courage to fight this with my little boy.”
How can you help?
The cost of treatment is estimated at Rs.2.5 lakhs and the family has no savings to continue Mujahath’s care. Mansor is back in Kolkata working extra hours to make more money to fund the treatment, while his wife is taking care of their little boy all by herself. Your contributions could help this child to complete his treatment and save his life.
“Mujahath Ali, is a very cheerful boy, bubbling with energy and enthusiasm. He has a contagious smile and every staff in the ward remembers him for his extreme cooperation during invasive procedures and always keeping a bright face. Among the cries of the children in the ward, you could see him playing happily in his bed, with no temper tantrums that is common in children who had been undergoing cancer treatment,” says the doctor.
Your contribution can gift Mujahath a healthy life.
