MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · Cancer Treatment
She Donated to Others for 10 Years, Then Needed Crowdfunding Herself
For almost a decade, my mother Maria quietly gave to strangers on Milaap whenever she came across a family in crisis. She never imagined she would one day need that same kindness herself. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I left my job to care for her, and the strangers she had once helped became the reason we could afford her treatment.
~10 Yrs
Maria donated to strangers' fundraisers on Milaap before needing one herself
6
Cycles of chemotherapy completed, followed by surgery and radiation
25
Consecutive radiation sessions, each starting before 6:30 AM
A decade of giving, then a diagnosis
For years, my mother Maria was the one helping others. Whenever she came across a family struggling with a medical emergency, she quietly contributed whatever she could. For nearly a decade, she believed that even a small act of kindness could make someone’s difficult journey a little easier. She never imagined that one day, our own family would be the ones asking for help.
Everything changed the day my mother was diagnosed with cancer. It felt like a complete disaster for our family. We are a small family of just three members, and suddenly our entire life was turned upside down. I had to leave my job to become her full-time caregiver because she could no longer manage on her own. Overnight, our family’s only source of income stopped.
Instead of planning for the future, every day became about hospital visits, medicines, and finding a way to continue her treatment. She has since completed six cycles of chemotherapy, undergone major surgery, and finished radiation therapy. Each stage brought a different challenge, chemotherapy left her physically weak with new complications every cycle, and radiation caused painful side effects she is still recovering from. Even now, she cannot eat regular meals and depends mostly on soft foods and liquids while her body slowly heals
“There were days when our entire life revolved around the next hospital appointment. My only thought was that somehow we had to complete her treatment. No matter what happened, we had to keep going.”
— Maria’s Son
Credit cards, loans, and money lenders
The moment treatment began, I exhausted my credit cards. When those limits ran out, I started borrowing from relatives and friends. Eventually, I even turned to local money lenders because treatment simply could not stop. Every available source of money was used just to make sure my mother never missed a session.
Despite the mounting expenses, I never allowed myself to think about giving up. This is a gap most families facing कैंसर का इलाज in India fall into, the cost of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation together rarely fits within savings or a single income, and by the time families exhaust credit cards and personal loans, treatment itself has often barely begun.
When life came full circle
I had known about Milaap for many years. My mother herself had donated to fundraisers on Milaap for almost ten years whenever she came across people in need. We never imagined that one day we would need help ourselves. When we realised her treatment costs were beyond our capacity, starting a fundraiser on Milaap became one of the only ways to continue her treatment.
It is a feeling that is impossible to describe. We were completely speechless. We could not believe that people who had never met us were willing to contribute towards my mother’s treatment. Their kindness gave us hope during one of the darkest periods of our lives.
“My mother spent years helping others whenever she could, and when our family needed help the most, complete strangers came forward to support us. We will never forget your kindness.”
— Maria’s Son
Where my mother is today
Today, we are moving forward with hope. My mother has completed chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Although she is still recovering from the side effects of treatment and cannot eat normally, her doctors have advised the next stage of targeted therapy, which is expected to continue for another five to six months.
We know the road ahead is still long. But because of the donors and friends who stood beside us, cooking meals, bringing groceries, and contributing to her fundraiser, we no longer face that road alone.
Struggling with the cost of cancer treatment?
Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation together often add up to more than savings, credit, or personal loans can cover. Maria’s family found that the community she had quietly supported for years was ready to support her too. We can help you reach that same community.
Frequently asked questions
How much does cancer treatment cost in India?
Costs depend heavily on the type and stage of cancer, but a full course involving chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation commonly runs into several lakh rupees. Maria’s family exhausted credit cards and personal loans before her chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation were even complete, with months of targeted therapy still ahead.
Can crowdfunding really cover the full cost of cancer treatment?
Many families use crowdfunding alongside personal savings, loans, and whatever support their immediate network can offer. It rarely covers every expense alone, but it often provides the difference that allows treatment to continue without interruption between cycles.
Why is early detection so important for cancer treatment costs?
Cancer caught at an earlier stage generally requires less extensive treatment and has a higher chance of successful outcomes, which can also reduce the overall cost and duration of care. Maria’s son now encourages every woman above the age of forty to get an annual mammogram for exactly this reason.
How do I start a fundraiser for a family member's cancer treatment?
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 before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
Struggling with the cost of cancer treatment? We can help
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