MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · BRAIN TUMOR
After Losing One Child, We Are Fighting to Save Another
Years ago, we lost our first child just 24 hours after birth. Our daughter became our biggest blessing after that loss. When headaches and vomiting turned out to be a brain tumor, we feared losing a child all over again.
7
Years old when doctors found the brain tumor causing her symptoms
₹13,000
Cost of a single medicine box needed for her ongoing recovery
2Mos
How long each medicine box lasts before the same worry returns
A second child, a second heartbreak
Our daughter brought happiness back into our lives. Before she was born, we had lost our first child just 24 hours after birth due to complications. Losing our first baby was devastating, and when our daughter came into our lives, she became our biggest blessing. She was cheerful, playful, and loved going to school every day. We never imagined she would have to face such a serious illness at such a young age.
Everything started when she began complaining of severe headaches. Soon after, she started vomiting frequently, and she also had difficulty walking properly. We took her to a local doctor, but even after medicines her condition did not improve. The doctors advised us to get an MRI done, and the scan revealed that she had a brain tumor. We were immediately referred to Delhi for further treatment. Hearing that our seven-year-old daughter had a brain tumor completely shattered us.
“Every time the medicine is about to finish, the same worry returns. We keep wondering how we will arrange money for the next dose because stopping treatment is not an option.”
— Father
Selling our land, then my wife's jewellery
Before asking strangers for help, we did everything we could ourselves. We borrowed money from relatives and friends. We mortgaged and later sold our land. We took loans wherever possible. We spent our savings and even sold my wife’s jewellery to continue treatment. Despite all these efforts, the expenses kept increasing, and eventually we could no longer manage them on our own.
Her surgery was successful, but her treatment did not end there. She continues taking expensive medicines, and one medicine alone costs around ₹13,000 and lasts only about two months. This is the gap many families face after a child’s brain tumor surgery, the operation is only the beginning, and the recurring cost of medicines can quietly outlast even the biggest sacrifices a family has already made.
How I found Milaap
The hospital itself did not provide us with financial assistance, but one doctor, Dr. Amita Mahajan, guided us towards Milaap. She understood our financial situation and introduced us to crowdfunding as a way to continue our daughter’s treatment. That guidance became one of the biggest turning points in our journey because it opened a door we didn’t know existed.
Every contribution gave us hope. During one of the darkest periods of our lives, complete strangers chose to support our daughter. Although the fundraiser covered only part of the expenses and we continue to spend from our own pocket, the support reminded us that we were not fighting this battle alone.
“There are no words to express our gratitude. When we were struggling to continue our daughter’s treatment, complete strangers came forward to help us. Your support gave us hope when we needed it the most.”
— Father
Where our daughter is today
Compared to when her treatment first began, she is doing much better. Her surgery was successful, and her health has improved significantly. However, her treatment is still continuing. She continues taking medicines regularly, and doctors are monitoring her recovery closely. Although she is better than before, she still needs ongoing treatment and follow-up care.
Our biggest hope now is that she continues recovering and can slowly return to a normal childhood. She dreams of returning to school, sitting in a classroom with her friends again, and enjoying the carefree childhood she had to leave behind. Her parents dream of the same future
Facing recurring medicine costs after your child's surgery?
For many conditions, surgery is only the first expense. Ongoing medicines and follow-up care can continue to add up for months or years afterward. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does treatment for a childhood brain tumor cost in India?
Costs vary by the size and location of the tumor, but surgery alone commonly runs into several lakh rupees, with ongoing medicines afterward adding a significant recurring cost. This family pays around ₹13,000 for a single medicine box that lasts only about two months.
Why do children need expensive medicines even after a successful brain tumor surgery?
Surgery removes the tumor, but many patients still need medication to manage recovery, prevent complications, or reduce the risk of recurrence. These medicines are often specialised and can be costly, with families needing to budget for them repeatedly over months or years.
Does insurance typically cover the ongoing cost of post-surgery medicines?
Coverage varies widely by policy. Many insurance plans cover the surgery itself but offer limited or no coverage for long-term follow-up medicines, leaving families to fund this recurring expense out of pocket or through other means such as crowdfunding
How do I start a fundraiser for my child's brain tumor treatment?
You typically need a diagnosis report and a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, along with identity proof for the parent or guardian raising funds. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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