MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
I Lost My Mother. I Cannot Lose My Brother Too.
When our mother passed away suddenly in 2020, I stopped thinking of myself as just my brother Arka’s sister. So when doctors told us he had blood cancer, it didn’t feel like I was losing my brother. It felt like I was about to lose my child.
19
Years old, and fighting leukemia instead of building the career he dreamed of
2020
The year their mother passed away, when his sister became his caregiver
1
Matching donor already identified and ready for his transplant
Becoming more than his sister
When our mother passed away suddenly in 2020, everything changed for our family. I was only 20 at the time, and my younger brother Arka was still in school. From that moment, I stopped thinking of myself as just his sister. I helped him with his classes, cooked for him when our father couldn’t, and watched him grow through his school years, his board exams, and eventually his first steps into college.
Before cancer took over his life, Arka was doing well in college. He dreamed of becoming a software engineer, pursuing an MCA, and possibly going abroad for his studies or career. He loved learning new things and would spend hours watching videos and asking our cousins questions about his future. That is the kind of person Arka has always been, someone who doesn’t give up easily.
“So when doctors told us that Arka had blood cancer, it didn’t feel like I was losing my brother. It felt like I was about to lose my child.”
— Arka’s Sister
A fever that wouldn't go away
It all began last March. Arka developed a fever that simply wouldn’t go away. We were already worried, but then we noticed unusual blood clots appearing under his skin. We took him from one doctor to another, hoping someone would tell us it was something treatable and temporary. Instead, after several consultations and tests, doctors advised a bone marrow biopsy. Two days later, our worst fears were confirmed. Arka had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a form of blood cancer. Our entire world changed overnight.
We didn’t tell Arka immediately. But eventually, when the doctors spoke about chemotherapy and warned him about possible hair loss, he understood that something was seriously wrong. When we were alone, he looked at me and asked, “Do I have cancer?” I had to tell my little brother the truth. He cried. But even after hearing the diagnosis, Arka continued trying to fight. Even when he was unwell, he tried to appear for an exam. He couldn’t sit through it, but he still tried.
Fighting through chemotherapy
Today, Arka’s life revolves around hospitals and treatment. Chemotherapy has taken a heavy toll on him. There are days when he experiences severe bone pain, stomach pain, nausea, and extreme weakness. He barely eats, and even standing up can be difficult. Our father, who works as a private tutor, is doing everything he can to keep up with the growing expenses. He teaches children late into the night so that he can somehow arrange money for the next day’s bills. I am still studying myself, but every night I stay beside Arka. When he sleeps, I check his temperature and hold his hand.
We have already spent lakhs on his chemotherapy, hospital stays, tests, medicines, and the daily travel required for his treatment. Much of this money has come through loans and whatever help our relatives could provide. This is the gap most families facing childhood blood cancer fall into, chemotherapy alone already stretches every resource a family has, long before the far larger cost of a transplant even enters the picture.
“Your support has helped us continue his treatment through some of the most frightening days of our lives. Every contribution has brought us closer to giving him the treatment he needs.”
— Arka’s Sister
One donor, one urgent transplant, and a fight against time
Arka needs a Bone Marrow Transplant, and it needs to happen urgently. We have only a very limited window to arrange the funds. The doctors have identified a matching donor, and his family is ready to move forward with the transplant. The treatment is possible. The donor is available. What stands between Arka and the treatment he needs is the money required to make it happen.
For our family, the amount needed for the transplant is far beyond what we can afford. We have already borrowed from relatives and exhausted the resources available to us. Arka is only 19. He should be thinking about his career, his college life, his dreams, and the future he wants to build. Instead, he is fighting cancer. As his sister, I have already watched him grow up without our mother. I cannot bear the thought of losing him too.
Racing against time to fund an urgent Bone Marrow Transplant?
A matching donor and a ready hospital mean nothing without the funds to move forward. We help families reach a wider circle of support quickly, so a small window of opportunity doesn’t close because of cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bone Marrow Transplant cost for leukemia in India?
Costs typically range from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh or more, depending on the hospital, donor match, and any complications during recovery. This is on top of the lakhs many families, like Arka’s, have already spent on chemotherapy before a transplant even becomes necessary.
Why is timing so critical once a matching donor is found?
Once a compatible donor is identified and available, hospitals often work within a limited scheduling window to coordinate the transplant. Delays in arranging funds can risk losing that window, potentially requiring the search for a donor to begin again.
How do I start a fundraiser for an urgent Bone Marrow Transplant?
You typically need a diagnosis report and a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, along with identity proof for the patient or the person raising funds on their behalf. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents quickly so urgent fundraisers can go live without delay.
What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is treated with chemotherapy, and in cases where chemotherapy alone is not enough to prevent relapse, a Bone Marrow Transplant is often recommended for a stronger chance of long-term recovery.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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