“My poor baby looks normal, but he regularly gets red spots on his body due to internal bleeding from a rare disease. Blood transfusions are keeping him alive for now, but his condition has become so worse that he is at a high risk of contracting infections even from these transfusions. Doctors tell us that even doing simple blood tests has become risky in his case. Only a bone marrow transplant can help him live – he needs to undergo this procedure as soon as possible. I want to help my baby live, but financially I have no means to save him.”-Hemachandran, father of 8-month-old Mirthun.
Baby Mirthun’s woes started from the very next day of his birth
Deepa and Hemachandran considered themselves lucky to be blessed with a cute baby boy at the end of last year. But before they could fully bask in the happiness of being first-time parents, their baby boy started getting bluish bruises all over his body. It began appearing on his legs, and slowly started spreading to the rest of his little body. Thankfully, the baby had not been discharged from the hospital and the doctors began doing tests immediately.“Before I could hold my baby and nurse him to my heart’s content, he was taken away for tests. The doctors told us that he had low platelet count and low levels of hemoglobin in his blood. He underwent a platelet transfusion immediately. I was relieved when tests for blood cancer came back negative, but only later did we realise that it was something worse than that.”-Deepa, mother.
This poor baby even developed bleeding in his brain once, and it had almost killed him
Soon after he started bruising, Mirthun faced a dangerous life-and-death situation. He had to be rushed to the ICU because of bleeding in his brain and was admitted in the hospital for more than 45 days. His parents did not have any hope that he would survive. However, this little fighter’s body did not give up and he soon recovered from it.“Our prayers were answered when the doctors said that he had survived the bleeding. Our lives were at a standstill during those 45 days – all we did was wait anxiously outside the ICU and worry about our little baby who did not deserve such a cruel fate. Knowing that there is very little you can do to help your baby is the worst feeling that a father can possess.”-Hemachandran.
Baby Mirthun cannot eat or sleep when his platelet count drops every 15 days
Every two weeks, Mirthun’s body shows clear signs that he needs a blood transfusion immediately. Apart from red spots all over his body, he gets red-colored thickenings on his mouth, because of which he cannot eat anything. These are signs of internal bleeding caused by the sudden drop in platelets. He also gets increasingly irritable and has trouble sleeping at night.“All Mirthun does is cry uncontrollably when his blood levels drop. Nothing can console him – even my embraces only seem to cause more discomfort for him. He becomes so weak from all the wailing that he even gets recurrent fevers and needs antibiotics. It is unbearable for me to watch them put a needle into his small arm – sometimes the vein is not spotted easily so he gets pricked over and over again. I just want this horrific ordeal to end – no baby deserves this kind of pain.”-Deepa, with tears in her eyes.
Mirthun was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that can turn fatal without a bone marrow transplant
It was after a series of tests, including a bone marrow inspection that Mirthun was diagnosed with a rare disease called Congenital Thrombocytopenia With Radio-Ulnar Synostosis. This is a condition where the body has abnormally low platelet count, leading to complications like internal bleeding. In Mirthun’s case, this disease is even more serious because his bone marrow is very weak. This means that along with platelets, the count of white blood cells as well as red blood cells drop drastically in his blood. Blood transfusions will not suffice in the long run as his body is extremely susceptible to all kinds of infections also now.“The doctors have clearly told us that a bone marrow transplant is the only way he can survive. He does not have much time left – if he does not get it as soon as possible, he may develop bleeding in his brain again. And this time, he may not overcome it like the first time.”-Deepa
Hemachandran has not been able to go to work regularly and is struggling to meet expenses
Hemachandran works in a private company in Chennai and was able to manage expenses before his son was diagnosed with this life-threatening illness. He has been irregular to work ever since, resulting in loss of pay. He has also borrowed heavily for his treatment till now and is in no position to beg for money anymore. Now, he is unable to arrange funds for Mirthun’s regular transfusions, let alone his bone marrow transplant.“I cannot go to work on most days as my wife cannot manage to take care of Mirthun all by herself – especially on days where his platelet levels dip. I have spent almost 18 lakhs on his treatment till now. I have taken loans from private moneylenders and have not even paid back one installment. Expenses are only increasing day by day – and I am running out of time and money to save my son before his health worsens.”-Hemachandran
How you can help
Baby Mirthun has only known a life of needles and pain since he was just two-days-old. His compromised bone marrow is causing a dip in the production of platelets in his blood, white blood cells and red blood cells as well. Regular blood transfusions were keeping him alive till now, but even they are not enough to prolong his life because of the high risk of infections. He cannot live for much longer without a bone marrow transplant. His father, Hemachandran, has used up all his savings and even borrowed heavily for his treatment till now and does not have other financial options to turn to. He needs your help to save his baby.Your kind contribution can help save this baby from a tragic death
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.
