Share
The 7-year-old boy looks into the turmoil-ridden gaze of his mother - Marufa, unable to understand why she tears up when he feels exhausted. The young boy does not understand that a deadly disorder runs rampant in his blood, he simply dreams of becoming a doctor one day, unaware that with each passing moment, he is losing a strong chance at survival.
“When my boy was barely six months old, we took him for a routine check-up as he suffered from recurrent fever, not expecting anything out of the ordinary but the doctor detected something unusual through the reports. Eventually, after some medical tests, it was confirmed that my baby had been suffering from Thalassemia. It has shaken us to our core, fate has been so cruel to my son, I live each day with so much fear, I can't even imagine losing him.” - Marufa, mother.
Thalassemia threatens his life, and the cost of a life-saving bone marrow transplant is more than they can bear
The 7-year-old is diagnosed with Thalassemia, a blood disorder characterized by less oxygen-carrying protein (hemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. Currently, the child is under the supervision of Narayana Hospital in Bangalore. The doctor states that an urgent bone marrow transplant is his only chance at survival.
The estimated cost of this surgery along with the charges for finding an appropriate donor for the child, and the cost of the child's hospitalization for pre and post-surgery care is about 35 Lakh rupees, a burden that his family pleads for help to shoulder.
“All through these years, we have managed to spend about 10 Lakh rupees on his hospital visits, the checkups, and when his blood levels dropped horrendously, we had to rush for urgent hospital care. We spent all our life savings, taken loans, and borrowed from our friends to be able to shoulder the expense so far but the doctor states that my son's only cure is a bone marrow transplant. It shatters me that we can't afford such an expense. I'm losing this fight against time and I can only come forward and beg you to please save my son. I pray that no parent has to ever go through this… please help us.” Ayan Ali Mistry, father
Working on a meager income, they skip their meals to afford his monthly medications
From West Bengal, Ayan moved with his son to Bangalore where the child undergoes regular checkups at the specialized hospital in Bangalore, taking care of his son who has not been hospitalized due to the lack of funds. His wife Marufa Khatoon who used to be a housewife, took up his job as a worker in tiffin services under an employer, also taking care of their elder, 12-year-old school-going daughter in the meantime.
Helpless against their meager income, these parents live each day in horrendous fear, unable to even explain when their 7-year-old’s innocent face asks them innumerable questions.
“He is currently in class 2, but his condition no longer allows him to attend school, he loves studying as much as he loves to play. He barely eats anything… He dreams of becoming a doctor one day, he is enamored when he sees those white coats and stethoscopes. Our health and hunger are long forgotten as we add every last penny to ensure our children get meals, and that my son gets the medications that cost about 7 thousand rupees each month. It's only due to these medicines that his blood levels seem stabilized, otherwise he is prone to fall ill. I want to see him succeed, but the threat over his life shakes me so much, there are days when I can't even sleep as this fear takes hold of me.” - Marufa, tearfully.
These parents are helpless against their poor circumstances, their eyes tearful and their hearts exhausted. The young boy innocently lives each day with a promising dream. As soon as the little one can get a bone marrow transplant, the better his chance at survival. Your help can be their greatest hope.
Click here to donate.
Registration Number - AAOCM6666MF20229
EIN 20-5139364
Identity of the child is protected in adherence to government guidelines.
