Shivam and his tryst with Cancer

Shivam and his tryst with Cancer

The HOPE project and its interventions are holistically designed to address the Financial, Psycho-social, Emotional, Nutritional and Diagnostic need of underprivileged children suffering from Cancer, aged 0 to 18 years coming from all over India, and admitted at Holy Spirit Hospital, Andheri (East), Mumbai.

Affordability, accessibility and utilization of the health facilities are directly proportional to the socio-economic status of the family. There is a need to psycho-socially support the children suffering from Cancer. Most of the cancers in children are curable. However, many children have lost their lives due to lack of comprehensive medical care. This project envisages giving importance to comprehensive care. It emphasizes on the psycho-social aspect that is excluded from the medical care in the typical Indian hospital setting.

Shivam’s story highlights this problem. Shivam is 4 year old and suffers from Lymphoma (A type of cancer). Shivam lives with his parents, 5 siblings (5 sisters) and grandparents in Dahisar. His father, Manoj Gosavi, works as a helper in gas agency and his mother Seeta Gosavi is a homemaker.   None of the family members is literate and hence, the family income is not sufficient to allow the members to live a dignified life.The parents do not even have a government issued identity proof such as a Ration card and hence, they are unable to receive any Government support. The house also does not have proper hygiene.

When the family members came to know about Shivam’s cancer, they were shocked and in despair. When his family visited the Hospital for the first time, they were taken aback after hearing the cost of treatment. This was when Shivam’s family got associated with the HOPE project of Mumbai Smiles. The Holy Spirit Hospital team admitted him and started his treatment. Dr. Nirmal Raut made him undergo free chemo cycles and also waived off the visiting charges. Under HOPE project, Shivam was also provided Medical kit and Nutritional support. He is admitted in Holy Spirit Hospital since February 2015 and is under supervision of Dr.Nirmal Raut. He has completed 4 chemo cycles successfully.

Shivam is very strong and has undergone the painful chemo cycles very bravely. We hope a speedy recovery for him and just like Shivam’s, we look forward to make a difference in the lives of all our HOPE beneficiaries.