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“At the peak of the Assam floods, I lost the only piece of land I owned. It was the only means of my family’s sustenance. Now, we have nothing! My son has cancer – how will I save him?” – Ajimuddin, father.
8-year-old Akibul Islam has been diagnosed with a severe case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer in which large numbers of immature cells replicate in the blood and bone marrow.
Cancer has changed this little boy’s appearance completely. His whole body is swollen, and he feels unbearable pain in his joints. He is not able to eat or drink like normal children, and is suffering, much to the dismay and heartbreak of his parents. His condition is so critical that chemotherapy will not be enough to pull him out of his misery.
He will need a procedure called a bone marrow transplant to completely be cured of cancer and live a healthy life. This has come as both a relief and shock to his poor parents. As relieved as they are that there is a permanent cure for their son’s cancer, they are just as shocked because they cannot afford this mode of treatment as it completely beyond their reach.
The pandemic had tragically delayed his diagnosis, putting his life at risk
In 2019, Akibul was an active 6-year-old who wouldn't fall ill that often. That changed when he got a swelling on his right cheek. His parents thought it was just an insect bite but became worried after it started growing. They took him to many doctors in their hometown of Goalpara in Assam, that said it could be a case of tonsilitis.They even took him to a bigger hospital in Guwhaiti. But again, doctors were not able to come to a conclusive diagnosis. They finally took him to Chennai after borrowing heavily from friends and it was there he was diagnosed with blood cancer.
“Yes, we got to know he had cancer but then the pandemic struck. We had to come back from Chennai immediately and then get him treated for his fever and pain in the local hospitals near our village. It was only in January, this year, that we were able to start him properly on chemotherapy – this delay has worsened his condition.” - Noorisa, mother.
‘We are in a terrible financial state…we don’t know how to save him’
When the Assam floods struck, Ajimuddin did not only lose his land; he nearly lost his elderly mother too. She was almost swept away by the strong currents and ended up severely injuring her hip. Ajimuddin had to bring back his child from Chennai, mid-treatment, to care for his ailing mother.Losses have taken over this family and burdened them financially. They have no way to save Akibul now, as they have already exhausted funds borrowed from friends and family.
“We have nobody to turn to in our village, as almost everyone is suffering losses due to the floods like us. We cannot burden them with our problems as well. But we may lose our son if we do not do something fast. We are begging for you to help us in saving his life.” - Ajimuddin.
This little boy’s condition is worsening with every passing minute. You can save him. Click here to contribute.
