Murali, 15, has been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia – a rare blood cancer. Despite being an aggressive, rapidly advancing cancer, with the right treatment there is a very good chance for full recovery. His father, a daily-wage worker in Vijaywada needs help paying for Murali's treatment. Without immediate treatment, Murali cannot make it. 

Murali started this new year by falling sick. A class 10 student, by the second week of January, he had to be admitted to the hospital because he couldn't keep any food down and had fainting spells. “The doctor told us that Murali had cancer. I didn't want to believe it. I immediately took him to another hospital hoping the diagnosis was wrong,” says Chandrasekhar, Murali's father.

Chandrasekhar's hopes were dashed when the other hospital told him that his son did have the dreaded disease. Being a daily-wage worker at a furniture shop did not stop him from wanting the best for his son. He admitted Murali to Manipal Hospitals in Vijaywada. He borrowed money from everyone he knew and has spent over Rs 50,000 on Murali's treatment. 

Murali has been started on immediate chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the cancer is aggressive and it has caused haemorrhaging in Murali's lungs. He now needs blood transfusions and high-flow Oxygen along with chemotherapy. The intensive treatment is urgent and Murali's family is in no condition to raise the required funds.

Just when the family thought that they had the money to start immediate treatment, this new complication presented them with an unsurmountable challenge. Chandrasekhar's income is Rs 8,000 per month and his wife Padmavati makes Rs 2,000 per month washing clothes for people. Murali's elder sister is in class 12 and is keenly aware that they don't have the money to save her brother's life.  

Chandrasekhar's voice breaks as he thinks of how his son is battling cancer butdoesn't know. “He is such a good, competitive student. He  scolds me and tells me he needs to study and do coaching for his board exams. I have to tell him its just another week. That it is just till his blood count gets better. Him losing hope is not a chance we can take.” 

The cancer Murali has is easily curable with a great recovery rate. But it is also a deadly, fast cancer that needs to be attacked at the earliest. At the moment his parents live with inescapeable helplessness, wishing they had some money to save their son. The haemorrhage has added a desperation to their fight against cancer.

Murali needs Rs 4 lakhs for one month of intensive therapy and critical care. The subsequent cycles of chemotherapy will be much less expensive and will be covered by the cancer trusts and government schemes. 

Murali has a very good chance at better health and full recovery. Let money not stand in the way of saving this talented, young child's life. Contribute now and save Murali.