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“I have never seen an adult, let alone a child go through suffering with a smile until I saw my poor child do it. Even when he was in a lot of pain, he never shed a tear. Even when his blood pressure fell much below normal levels, he would not collapse or faint. Such is the strong spirit he has. He keeps telling us that he will survive. This keeps us going too.” - Mustqiem Rayeen, fatherIn 2014, the Rayeen family’s world turned upside-down when their son suddenly experienced severe stomach pain. The diagnosis was devastating - Wilms' tumour, a cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children. Surgery to remove the tumour and his left kidney, followed by rounds of chemotherapy, marked the beginning of a difficult journey. Despite the challenges, the family held onto hope as he began to recover.
Regular follow-up appointments provided reassurance, but their peace was shattered in 2020 when the pandemic struck
“Financial problems forced us to stop the essential medical visits, and our son fell behind in his studies, remaining in the 5th class at the age of 15. But he was happy to attend school nonetheless. He was desperate to catch up and wanted to lead a normal life like other children. That’s all he has ever hoped for.”- Sabina, mother
The nightmare returned with a worse diagnosis, and continues to haunt him
In 2022, school authorities called Mustqiem and Sabina, informing them that their son was experiencing severe chest pain. They rushed him to the hospital, where tests revealed a tumour in his right lung. The news was devastating.“He was just beginning to experience life when all this happened again. Yet, he never complained. I feel so sad seeing my son being limited by cancer. He cannot go anywhere except the hospital and home, he cannot see his friends, he doesn’t know what it’s like to enjoy life. He is just surviving by a thread.” - Abid, the boy’s uncle, who has put his own life on hold to save his nephew’s life
The young boy’s condition is now beyond critical; he needs an urgent transplant to survive
The doctors have advised urgent treatment – ICE chemotherapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant, costing close to ₹15 lakhs or more. He even had a brush with death recently with a high fever, low platelets, and was bleeding from his nose.“He was admitted to the ICU and escaped narrowly. I am a vegetable seller, and cannot afford the treatment anymore. Despite already spending ₹28 lakhs from savings, selling jewellery, and taking out loans, we have no money left. I want to save him at any cost. Please, he too deserves a life without pain and suffering. Please help me save him.” - Mustaqiem
Their son's strength and determination in the face of immense pain and adversity inspires them to keep fighting, hoping for a miracle that would allow him to overcome this latest battle with cancer.
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Registration Number - AAOCM6666MF20229
EIN 20-5139364
The identity of the child is protected in adherence to government guidelines.
