Akshita needs a blood transfusion twice a month because she has Pure Red-cell Aplasia. This means her body does not produce red-blood cells essential for survival. Her father – Moorthi is a daily wage worker who has done everything he could to help Akshita. Only, it is no longer enough and Akshita needs a bone marrow transplant if she is to live beyond the next 10 years.
Repeated blood transfusions have damaged Akshita’s veins
Akshita was diagnosed when she was only 6 months old and from then she has needed to take blood transfusions to carry on. Her father Moorthi works as a daily-wage worker in an automobile assembly workshop in a small village near Erode, Tamil Nadu. Ever since his daughter was diagnosed with this disease, he has had to spend over Rs 2,500 on transfusions and tests every month.
Akshita loves to dance. She teaches herself dance moves from the TV in her free time
Today, every transfusion is a harrowing experience for the whole family. They travel from their village to Chennai. Akshita is pierced multiple times by the nurses looking for an undamaged vein in her hand. If the blood is pumped into a damaged vein – she could develop a serious infection. Despite being used to it, Akshita cannot stop herself from crying through the ordeal.
Akshita with her brother VishalHer parents have started to go together for every transfusion so they can comfort her. But every time, Akshita’s mother Kanchan is overcome with grief when she sees her sweet daughter suffer. Moorthi is similarly affected too and both parents try their best to support their daughter. A bone-marrow transplant is their only hope of ending their daughter’s suffering twice a month.
Akshita has learnt the value of time because of what she has been through
“Akshita never wastes time. She wakes up at 7 a.m. and prays for half an hour. She goes to school, comes back, sits down with her books, practices some dance with her friends and watches TV. She never needs to be told what to do,” explains Moorthi. He is justifiably proud of his daughter’s achievements in school, especially given her health that has not always allowed her to study.
Akshita with her parents and brother
Akshita’s dedication to her routine has become stronger because she lost a whole year for being sick. When she was 6-years-old, she fainted so often in school that the school asked her parents to keep her at home till she got better. It was when Akshita first became aware that she was not like the other children who could run and play. She was an unlucky one.
“She asks her why her younger brother is not sick like her. She has started many tough questions and we don’t have answers to many of them,” Moorthi says. Akshita is growing up and learning more about her condition and how to cope with it. Her parents no longer have to watch her with a hawk-eye because she tells them she needs transfusions on her own.
Growing up with the disease has made her determined to beat it
“Akshita wants to grow up and become a doctor because she has felt true, lingering pain. She wants to be a doctor to help others who are sick but don’t have the money to get better,” says a proud Moorthi. To do that, Akshita makes sure she studies every day – so she can score well even if she falls sick.
Children with this blood disorder don’t have a long life expectancy because their body suffers too much damage. Akshita still has a chance and with a BMT she just might be able to achieve all her dreams. Moorthi has already spent over 5 lakhs on her treatment and cannot afford funds for a BMT that can change Akshita’s life.
Help Moorthi save his daughter and end her suffering with a BMT. Contribute now.
Supporting Documents
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.Click here to contribute and save Akshita's life.
