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“I still can’t come to terms with how our lives just changed so drastically, in just a month. My child is writhing in so much pain and the swelling in his stomach won't go down! He knows that the transplant is the only solution, and every day he begs us and the doctors to make it happen soon. I don’t have the courage to tell him that we don’t have the money for it… I just want to save him, but I don’t know what to do!” - Uma, mother
They thought it was jaundice, but it turned out to be much worse
A month ago, 14-year-old Cuten suddenly started displaying symptoms of jaundice. He’d once had jaundice as a child, and at the time, he had recovered with medicines prescribed by a local doctor. So, his parents naturally assumed it was the same case again - only, it wasn’t. The medicines had no effect on him, and the doctor they consulted suspected that his illness was something else entirely.“We were immediately asked to get some tests done, and that's how we found out about his damaged liver. The doctors told us that they caught it far too late, and he needs an urgent transplant to survive. Finding out that your child is sick is one thing, but learning that their life is on the line is just devastating. Since then, everytime I look at him, I feel anxious and afraid at the thought of losing him” - Uma
He suffers from rare genetic liver condition, a transplant is his only option
Cuten was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease, a rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in your liver, brain and other vital organs. Normally, your body absorbs copper from your food, and the excess is excreted through bile produced in the liver. In Cuten’s case, the excess copper has accumulated and damaged his liver, making it difficult to function.“The hospital in Madurai wasn’t equipped to treat him, so we were asked to take him to a bigger hospital in Chennai immediately. Considering the urgency of the situation, they are pushing us to go for a liver transplant immediately. My sister is a 100 percent match for a donor, and she is more than willing to donate a part of her liver to save my son’s life. But it's an expensive procedure, and I don’t have that kind of money.” - Das, father
Cuten’s condition is past the stage where it can be treated with just medication. There is fluid accumulating in his stomach, which needs to be constantly drained out. Living with a damaged liver has been nothing but agonising for the young boy, and he longs to be free of his suffering. A transplant stands as his only chance at survival, and he needs it within the next week. The more it is delayed, the worse it will be for Cuten
Neck deep in debt, he doesn’t know how he will save his ailing child
Das is a teacher at a private school in Madurai and being the sole breadwinner of the family, he is faced with the burden of keeping his family afloat, and also his son’s treatment going. A few months ago, Das’ father, a heart patient, fell terribly sick, which forced him to avail a loan for the hospital expenses. Now debt-ridden, he doesn’t know how he will afford his son’s life-saving transplant.
“We have a donor, and the doctors are also ready to start my son’s transplant. The only thing stopping us short is money - or the lack of it. I have spent every penny I had and sold all the jewellery we owned to meet my son’s treatment expenses. Now, I am even repaying a loan. In this state, affording 20 lakh rupees is simply beyond my means. I did all I could, but now my hands are tied. I really need your help!” - Das
These parents have exhausted all their options, and desperately seek your support to save their son from a cruel fate. You can help them with your contributions. Cuten can get a liver transplant and live a long and happy life. Click here to donate.
