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“I didn’t know what to do when they told me that my wife Meghana was COVID positive. My heart sank - was I going to lose my family, my wife, my only child? She is now back home and calls me every hour asking about Manasvi. She is inconsolable when I tell her that our daughter hardly opens her eyes and is struggling to survive. She wants to come here and sit by her side but that’s not possible. We are all so helpless now…,” - Annappa, breaking down.
She was perfectly healthy since birth - how did this happen?
After three years of marriage, Meghana and Annappa were overjoyed to know that Meghana was pregnant. A perfectly healthy child was born. Manasvi’s birth changed their lives - the young parents made so many plans for their baby girl. But come July, Manasvi started getting diarrhea. The local doctors in Davangere could do nothing and her health deteriorated fast.“I wasn’t ready to waste any more time. She was getting worse by the day - I took her to Bangalore immediately. It was here that we got to know of the dangerous disease that is killing my daughter. Her immunity is heavily compromised and the doctor said that only a bone marrow transplant can help her now,” - Annappa, father.
Will she even live to turn 1?
Annappa asks this question to himself each day. Manasvi's birthday is in October but she is so critical that Annappa now fears that he might lose her even before she turns 1."She is our first child, the apple of our eyes. I can't bear to think what will happen if I am unable to afford the treatment," - Annappa.
I was the only earning member of the family and now I don’t have a job
Annappa lost his job when the newspaper, Davangere Sanjeevani, closed down. He used to work there as a reporter and earned enough to take care of his family. Meghana is a housewife and now they have no source of income to even afford food let alone their child's treatment.“My savings - it’s all over. I had to take loans but even that was not enough. I have spent over 2 lakhs but there is so much more to pay. I have to take care of both my wife’s and my daughter’s treatment but I don’t know how long I can continue,” - Annappa.
Each day, Annappa spends around Rs 10,000 for Manasvi - her tests, treatment etc. Her transplant needs to happen at the earliest but it would cost him 25 lakhs. He is desperate, he is struggling and he knows that he can’t save his daughter without your help. Even a small contribution will go a long way to help this family in need.
