The Only Cure For This 8-Year-Old's Blood Disease Is Beyond His Parents' Means, Your Support Can Save Him

Kushal looks like every other child his age, but for the past three years, his childhood has been unlike any other because of his blood disease.
Despite his weakness, 8-year-old Kushal wakes up every morning with a smile on his face to go to school with his older brother Thaksha (10), who holds his hand and drops him to his class to make sure he’s fine. Kushal can’t write or play the activities that other children do, but he still insists on going to school. “On some days he can barely write a few words, but his school has been very understanding. They let him be a part of the class because he loves it so much,” says Sridhar.

A grave diagnosis and a failing business changed the fate of this family

The only time 8-year-old Kushal has his meals without creating a fuss is when his father Sridhar feeds him. No matter how late it is, Kushal would wait for Sridhar to get back home from work and to eat his favourite bisi bele baath (rice based dish) from his hands. And no matter how exhausted Sridhar was, he would plaster a smile on his face before entering his house. Along with his son’s deteriorating health, Sridhar has experienced tremendous loss in his earlier work. But despite everything, his only priority is to do all he can to ensure his son is healthy.

“It began with severe pain in his legs. Slowly his legs started swelling and he couldn’t even walk. His fever spiked. He was in the hospital for days. That was the same time I was going through a trying time with my business. I tried my best but failed. At that moment I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford my son’s treatment. We soon found out that his pain was not going to be short-lived.” – Sridhar

Kushal has been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells die early, causing a shortage of healthy cells in the body.

The cure that’s out of their reach

Gone are the days when Sridhar, Meena, and their two sons would spend their Sunday’s going on picnics or spending their time in the nearby park, followed by a special chocolate treat for the boys. Now all they can do is remember those days with sadness, and wonder if they’ll ever get them back. However, Kushal can be cured with a bone marrow transplant, but his parents are struggling.

“But we can’t afford his treatment at all. My wife works in a garment factory and I work at a private company. Both our incomes put together isn’t enough to afford the treatment he needs. Even if we save for years, we wouldn’t be able to afford it.” - Sridhar

We Can Help Kushal Get The Treatment He Needs

Kushal’s parents can’t afford the 40 lakhs needed for his bone marrow transplant. Over the past few years, he has been through severe pain, weakness and a few rare moments of happiness. Kushal, however, wants to be active, happy an energetic all the time like his friends in school. He is tired of staying on the sidelines and often asks his father “Appa, when can I stop taking these medicines?” Although he has the answer to that, it hurts him to think that they’re standing in the way of his healthy future. Kushal can be happy and active again, but only with our help.

Our support will give their son a new life.

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 organizer or the medical team.

Click here to save 8-year-old Kushal