“After years of looking for a permanent cure for my son’s Thalassemia, we heard about the doctor at NH hospital in Bangalore. He has saved hundreds of children with similar diseases, and he can save my Chethan too. But after spending lakhs on his treatment over the past 9 years, I can’t afford the bone marrow transplant that he needs.” – Ganapathi, father
Thalassemia is a severe blood disease that affects the body’s ability to produce haemoglobin. Children with this disease often experience fatigue, weakness and slow growth. To stay alive, Chethan (9) needs blood transfusions every 15 days. However, it’s not a permanent cure. Chethan needs the bone marrow transplant at the earliest.
The scans during pregnancy did not reveal his blood disease
When Mamatha was 8 months pregnant with Chethan, she underwent a scan. The doctor near their hometown Sagara, said that although the baby's haemoglobin was low, she had nothing to worry about. However, within 8 months of his birth, Chethan was diagnosed with Thalassemia after they noticed he wasn't growing like other babies.“When my wife was pregnant again, I made sure to take her to a bigger hospital for the scan. Luckily, my daughters don’t have thalassemia, but our son has to live with the dangers of it every day. I can’t help but feel it’s our fault.”
This daily wager has spent Rs. 3000 every month for 9 years to get his son treated
For the past 9 years, Ganapathi has been spending nearly Rs. 3,000 every month on Chethan’s treatment – for the bus tickets to Shimoga, bottles of blood, admission and tests. For a daily wage farmer like Ganapathi, this was almost his entire monthly income. Ganapathi, however, didn’t leave any stone unturned. He sold the two acres of land he owned, for which he got 6 lakhs. All of that and more has since been spent on Chethan’s treatment. Ganapathi is now penniless.
While other children are in school, Chethan depends on other’s blood to survive
Earlier, Chethan would spend his weekends helping his father on the half-acre of land they have left, but now his condition is getting worse. He gets tired sooner and can’t go on without the blood transfusions every 15 days.“Before taking him to Bangalore, I had taken him to many hospitals around our hometown to look for any other way I can save my son. The transfusions are very painful, but Chethan thinks it’s a part of his life. While other children are in school, my son depends on other’s blood to survive.”
Chethan is now back in his hometown, waiting for the day he can go back to Bangalore and get cured of his disease.
A bone marrow transplant is the only curative treatment for Chethan’s disease. However, Ganapathi can’t take Chethan back to Bangalore for his life-saving treatment without your help. This is his only chance to survive.
Supporting Document
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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