The Three Musketeers are Back

Three children supported by Sankalp India Foundation have completed their bone marrow transplants successfully They kept us on our toes, made us walk the unknown territory, pushed us to performance levels we had never known before, took us on a roller coaster ride of emotions ranging from happiness, sorrow, fear, hope, and undiluted inner peace. The first three children supported by Sankalp India Foundation for complete cure from Thalassemia – Bone Marrow Transplant – are out of the BMT unit with joy all around! Only those who suffer the pain of having to come to the hospital every few weeks to see their little ones receive multiple pricks and blood transfusions know the pain of living with thalassemia. Only those doctors who have to face untimely death of little children they strive so hard to save know understand the implications of complications which patients accumulate over time. Bone marrow transplant is a proven cure from thalassemia. However, transplants cannot be offered to all children. There are those chosen few who have HLA matched siblings who can donate bone marrow for them. The unfortunate story is that in our country even those children who may have a chance of getting permanent cure are deprived of the option. The reasons are many. The prohibitive cost of transplants in the commercial healthcare setup of the country where a transplant may cost about fifteen lakh rupee upwards is the biggest one. Very few centres for transplantation is the second barrier. But the biggest issue is that the institutions which are involved in care giving for thalassemia do not actively pursue the option of cure at all. So, there are children who can be cured, but who continue to wither and suffer. When Sankalp took upon itself the task of helping children suffering from thalassemia – we committed to leaving no stone unturned to explore what is best for these children. The fruits of hard labour is out. Finally we have children dropping out of our centre – because they care CURED! The levels of hope and energy in our daycares is at an all time high. While the children receive transfusions, the parents sit and chit chat about the road ahead – towards cure – wherever possible. The young children, even in the most dejected and deprived families, are being seen in a new light – the light which promises a bright future. Even those who do not have an option for cure immediately, know that science is catching up and they must maintain themselves well because sooner or later – they too may have the option of cure. The joy which the parents, the children, the families, the doctors, the care givers and the volunteers feel extends further. These transplants have been made possible because of exceptionally generous men and women who contributed towards these transplants. While Sankalp strived to ensure that each transplant is done in the most judicious and non-profit manner, the friends and well-wishers made sure that cost does not form the barrier between the little children fighting thalassemia and a cure for a lifetime. Hat’s off to all the donors! This is the father of one of our children had to say - "My son's blood group is AB-, which is very rare. Since the time he joined the daycare run by Sankalp, the problem of blood search was fixed. He was given ferritin tablets and his levels were carefully monitored for over a year. Three months have passed since his successful bone marrow transplant and my son is very happy." While these three musketeers have accomplished a personal mission, they have paved the way for their friends to walk the same road. Sankalp India Foundation is all set to ensure more children who have the option of cure get access to it. While a milestone is reached, please do remember them in your prayers. These children will need exceptional care in the next few months. And we the volunteers would be working hard to make sure that we have a continuous stream of such stories for you. We need your support and participation. Do call us at +981-9880132850 to know how you can get involved. You could also refer a child suffering from thalassemia to explore how Sankalp India Foundation can help them explore the option of cure. Please ask the families to call +91-9480044444 for appointments.