I Fought In The Kargil War, But The Toughest Battle Of Life | Milaap

I Fought In The Kargil War, But The Toughest Battle Of Life Has Been By My Son’s Hospital Bed


"A soldier never backs down from a battle, but today, I stand on the toughest battlefield of my life—fighting to save my son."

I am Colonel Ashok Kumar Singh (Retd.), a second-generation defence officer. My father, Major Singh, served in World War II, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and the 1965 India-Pakistan War. Following in his footsteps, I dedicated 37 years of my life (1979-2016) to the Indian Army, serving in the Corps of Army Air Defence. I commanded a regiment through Op Vijay (Kargil War) and Op Parakram (2001 Army mobilization for war) and was part of the UN mission in Cambodia.

Service runs in our family. My four sisters married Army officers—one of them was widowed when her husband died in service. My wife, too, has served the army community, teaching in Army Pre-Primary Schools for over 20 years.


Yet today, after a lifetime of service and sacrifice, I find myself helpless—fighting not an enemy but time itself—to save my son, Arjit Singh, from Leukemia.


At 32, My Son Has Fought Cancer For 7 Long Years
A brilliant mind, Arjit is a BTech, MTech graduate and an MBA. He excelled in academics and sports, competing at the college and university level in squash. Even as he battled Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) since 2017, he never let his illness break his spirit.
 
In 2020-21, he underwent a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) to fight CLL, with me as his donor. But in 2024, right after completing his MBA, our worst nightmare came true—Arjit was diagnosed with Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). After six months of medical investigations, doctors have confirmed that he needs another Bone Marrow Transplant—this time, with his mother as the donor. This transplant is his only chance at survival.


A Father’s Plea – We Need Your Help

My wife and I are both very old. Since 2017, we have spent every rupee we had—our entire family savings, pension benefits, and a bank loan against our house—on Arjit’s treatment. Today, we are staying in a rented flat struggling with expenses. With no insurance covering pre-existing conditions, the staggering cost of the transplant and chemotherapy is the biggest hurdle standing between my son and his survival.


I have fought many battles for my country, but this is one I cannot win without you.

With your support, Arjit has survived this far, and with your help, he will win again. Every donation, no matter how small, is a step toward saving his life.

Your kindness can give Arjit a second chance at life. 

Click here to donate.

EIN 20-5139364
AS
Patient Arjit Singh is 32 years old, living in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
KD
Being treated in Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Receiving treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia / AML

Click here to know more about Arjit Singh
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