Author: Ganapathy

Iqra Banu is a 11-year old girl who comes from a middle-class family in Tumkuru, Karnataka. Her father is a butcher and mother is a home-maker. Iqra is the first child to her parents and has a younger sister. She is studying in 6^th Std and has currently discontinued from school due to her diagnosis. A once enthusiastic and loving child in the family, has now become very reserved, because of the pain she has been silently suffering.

The journey over the last few months hasn’t been easy on the parents either, as they witness their daughter close of from the world. They have been a pillar of support day-in and day-out for Iqra and are doing everything in their power to make sure she gets better.

Jaden, is a 3-year-old child who has been diagnosed with “T-Cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He comes from lower-middle class family, his Father is a gym instructor and Mother works at a private sector company. The family stay in a rented house in Bengaluru.

Jaden is an enthusiastic child and the only child to his parents. His parents love for him is boundless. So, one can imagine how devastated they would have been when they learnt of his diagnosis of T-Cell ALL They have been working extremely hard to arrange money for his treatment. This time has been extremely challenging for the family emotionally and mentally.

Manasvi is 5-years old and the only child to her parents, Mr.Siddalinga and Mrs. Vasundara. The family reside in a rented house in Bengaluru. An active and bubbly child, this family of three is only filled with joy, laughter and love. Manasvi, has been diagnosed with B-Cell ALL (Acute-Lymphoblastic-Leukemia), which is a form of cancer that affects the B-Cells in the immune system, the disease starts in the bone-marrow.  

As she is the only child, her parents are currently under a lot of mental and emotional stress that one cannot even begin to imagine. Despite their pain and trauma, they are doing all they can to make sure their daughter recovers soon.

Avinash, is an 11-year old child diagnosed with Pediatric Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – a form of cancer manifested by an impediment in blood cell production. Avinash comes from Gulbarga, staying with his parents and brothers. Three years ago the family lost their eldest son who was also diagnosed with Pediatric MDS, they still mourn the loss of their beloved child each day.  

Avinash’s older, 8^th-standard brother Mukesh is Avinash’s only company at home succeeding the tragic demise of the family’s eldest son. Despite these insufferable circumstances, Avinash kindles the youthful effervescence within him by engaging in activities he enjoys such as playing football and consuming telecast media; most inspiring of all, Avinash values his academic life and is keen on returning to school after his treatment period elapses. Avinash’s parents devote every iota of strength they’re capable of mustering in pursuit of the wellbeing of their children.

The unfavorable financial scenario they find themselves in does little to inhibit the fervor with which they have committed themselves to ensure Avinash’s fate is different from that of their beloved eldest son’s; however, the economic deprivation that the family is subjected to renders them incapable of availing high quality medical intervention. 

Sidvin is an athletic, smart, studious and talented young adult who is pursuing his 1^st year Engineering. He is the eldest child in his family and has a younger sister. The unfortunate demise of his father Vidhyadhar last month; has left the family in a state shock. Mr.Vidhyadhar, was a farmer and the sole-breadwinner for the family.

Amidst all the grief and loss, Sidvin is managing to stay present and is focusing on his studies. Sidvin’s mother has been hoping and praying that her Son recovers completely. The loss of her Husband, has weighed down heavily on her and she cannot lose her son too. Her children are all that she has left.

Naveen is 42-years old, he is the sole bread-winner for his family. He currently takes care of his parents, his Father is aged 90-years and his Mother is 82-years old. He has a sister who is married. Naveen, was working with a transport agency associated with Jet-Airways, he has currently stopped working as he has been diagnosed with, ‘Carcinoma Colon Cancer’.

The family is currently surviving on the minimal pension fund that have accumulated and are currently seeking all the monetary support they can get.

Having lost her father and her brother, 13-year old Tejashree is the only daughter to her mother; who works as a house-maid. She is currently in 8th Grade, and is a studious young girl and also very active in participating in sports at her school. She is a girl who loves spending her time in the comfort of nature.

She has currently been diagnosed with, ‘Right Adrenal Mass’ and needs to undergo surgery immediately. Her Mother, has been praying day-in and day-out, for her daughter so that she gets better. 

Pavitra, is the 5-year old daughter; the 3^rd child out of the four children of Mr. Yankappa and Mrs. Devamma. The family hail from Yadgir, Karnataka. Mr.Yankappa, is a daily wage worker and earns about INR 8000/- per month. His wife, Mrs.Devamma is a homemaker. The family were planning on admitting their second child to school this year, they were shocked to learn that their daughter is diagnosed with, ‘Cellular Tumor’ and that she needed to undergo surgery.

As a parent it is not easy seeing their beloved child suffer at such a young age. The family have dedicated their entire time and effort focusing on one goal! ‘To see their beloved child laughing and active as she was’.

Raja is the 9-year old son of Mr. Ahmed Ali and Mrs. Najeema, he has a younger brother named Rasool, who is 3-years old. The family hail from West-Bengal and stay in their own house. Mr. Ahmed is a daily wage worker and Mrs. Najeema is a house wife. Raja, is studies in 4^th STD at a Government school in Murshidabad, West Bengal.