The only thing Pankaj looked forward to after a long day of driving his rickshaw was playing with this 5-year-old, Hritwik. He knew that no matter how bad his day was, just being with Hritwik would make everything okay. But one such evening changed their lives forever. Pankaj came home to find Hritwik happily playing. When he saw his father, he ran to him. Pankaj carried him and tickled him like he always would, that’s when he realized something was wrong.
“His stomach was swollen…hard almost. I knew this wasn’t normal, but I never thought that it would turn out to be a cancerous tumour. It’s been one week since we found out and now he needs an urgent surgery in the next 7 days. That’s how serious his condition is.” - Pankaj
Hritwik has a tumour on his right kidney for which he needs a surgery in 7 days. That’s all he has. They have no option but to remove his right kidney.
He’s terrified that everyone he meets is going to give him an injection
Hritwik was always a happy child.
At home, you can find him dancing to Hindi film songs and at school, he would have so many questions for his teachers. Even now in the hospital, every time he sees Pankaj or Nisha on the phone, he asks if someone is calling from their hometown, why they are calling and if we can go back home. But he’s not the same Hritwik he was even one week ago.
“He’s just scared all the time. Every time someone comes close to him, he starts to cry. Even strangers passing by his bed.. he thinks they’re going to give him an injection. That’s the one thing that scares him the most.”
They will never be able to afford the surgery without your help
Pankaj and Nisha came from their hometown in West Bengal to Hyderabad to give their only son the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, they don’t have much left with them.
“I took him to two small hospitals back home…but they kept delaying everything, even small tests. I knew my son didn’t have that much time. Cancer…it can spread very fast, I had heard. I couldn’t waste any time.”
Pankaj works as a rickshaw driver. There are days when he barely earns Rs. 100. This isn’t enough to take care of his family, let alone afford the surgery. But this is little Hritwik’s only chance to survive. 7 days is all this father has. You can help him.
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 organiser or the medical team.Click here to save Hritwik
