“I am a poor farmer from Chattisgarh. When Diapanshu screams and cries asking if his stomach will burst, I cannot even look him in the eye and tell him it’s alright. This is because I know that I can’t afford the expensive liver transplant he needs. My child may die before I arrange the funds on my own,”-Lakshmikanth, Dipanshu’s father.

6-year-old Dipanshu cannot even move his body because of his bad liver

Fluid has filled up in Dipanshu's stomach because of liver failure, to the extent that veins are visible. It is not only uncomfortable, but also very difficult for the child to even walk to the washroom without support from his father or uncle.

“His tummy does not even look like a tummy anymore. It is a painful sight to watch him struggling with it. He cannot pass bowels smoothly. He cries every time he has to make a trip to the toilet. He may have a heaviness that is bringing down his body, but I have heaviness in my heart. I don’t know how I will save my son because I don’t have a rupee on me,” says Lakshmikanth.

Just 2 months ago, Dipanshu was a happy and healthy child who liked staying outdoors

 There was not a day where he didn’t want to go to school because he loved meeting his friends. And now, he struggles to even breathe because of his enlarged abdomen.

“I can’t believe how easily misfortunes can fall upon someone. Dipanshu was so healthy before this; he wouldn’t even get fevers regularly. Then one day he told his mother, “Ma, there is a piercing pain in my stomach. From that day onwards, his tummy has been swelling up. At first, it was only a little uncomfortable. But today, the swelling has almost disabled him,” says Lakshmikanth with tears in his eyes.

Dipanshu with his mother Bhuvaneshwari, before he got sick

Laskhmikanth travelled all the way from Chattisgarh to Hyderabad to save his son at any cost

Dipanshu was being treated in his hometown in Chattisgarh for a while before his swelling got worse. The doctors advised him to undergo treatment in Hyderabad. Dipanshu’s father, Lakshmikanth did not wait another moment before taking the next train to Hyderabad. He took whatever money he had in his pocket and borrowed some from his relatives. He did not get a seat but he held his son for the whole two-day journey to Hyderabad. 

“My wife, Bhuvaneshwari was so upset and wanted to come with us to Hyderabad. But I told her that she should focus on taking care of our three-year old baby girl. So I called my brother for help instead,” says Lakshmikath, adding, “He was feeling very tired and worn out throughout the journey. But I kept telling him that we would reach soon and he would be alright.”

It was in Hyderabad that Lakshmikanth found out that his son has a very rare disease where copper gets accumulated in his vital organs. That’s what caused liver failure. Now, this father has only a few days to make sure that his son gets a liver transplant.

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Lakshmikanth used to earn around Rs 5,000 per month before he went to Hyderabad to get his treated. He had to borrow heavily from friends and relatives to fund his medical expenses till now.

“I am ready to give my liver to Dipanshu as I am a match, but I have spent Rs 2.5 lakhs till now and don’t know how I will be able to make the 16 lakhs required for the liver transplant. It is the only way Dipanshu will survive, but financially everything looks very bad for us now. I will not be able to forgive myself. I have gone through so much pain for him alone. I promised his mother that I would go back to Chattisgarh with him all well and happy,” says Lakshmikanth.

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 The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.

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