MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · BLOOD CANCER
From a 90% Blast Count to a Bone Marrow Transplant: A Sister's Fight for Her Brother
When doctors told us my brother Honey’s blast count had reached 90%, it felt like our entire world had stopped. While our father lay bedridden with Parkinson’s, our family fought two illnesses at once, and strangers helped us carry a weight we couldn’t carry alone..
90%
Blast count at diagnosis, the number that changed everything
2
Family members needing round-the-clock care, Honey and their bedridden father
₹100-200
Typical early contributions from friends and neighbours, before Milaap
A diagnosis that stopped our world
Everything changed in March, when my brother Honey was diagnosed. Until then, we had absolutely no idea he was battling something so serious. When the doctors told us his blast count had reached 90%, it felt like our entire world had stopped. We were shocked, scared, and completely unprepared for what was ahead. Suddenly, our lives became centered around hospital visits, tests, treatment plans, and uncertainty.
His journey has felt like a roller coaster of constant ups and downs. He developed severe jaundice, with his levels remaining dangerously high for several days, and soon after that, a fungal infection in his lungs. The most frightening days came when he had to be admitted to the ICU. Even though it was only for a couple of days, those days felt endless. Every update from the doctors carried both hope and fear.
“I felt completely emotionally drained. There were no plans for tomorrow. Every day revolved around waiting for updates and praying that Honey would get through the complications he was facing.”
— Nupur, Sister
Fighting two illnesses in one home
people we knew. Some contributed ₹100, some ₹200, and others helped however they could. Every contribution mattered because every contribution represented hope. But despite everyone’s efforts, the amount required for Honey’s treatment was far greater than what we could arrange on our own.
The burden was made even heavier by our circumstances. My father is bedridden due to Parkinson’s disease and requires constant care, while my mother has been looking after both him and Honey. Watching one loved one fight cancer while caring for another family member with a serious illness has tested us in every possible way. This is the gap many families with more than one dependent to care for fall into, the same household income and the same hands are stretched across two crises at once.
How we found Milaap
We first learned about crowdfunding through the hospital. Before that, I honestly knew very little about it. At that stage, I felt completely lost and didn’t know what options were available to us. The hospital guided us, and that’s how we came to know about Milaap. Looking back, I can say it was one of the most important turning points in our journey.
When people we had never met decided to support our family during one of the most difficult times of our lives, it gave us hope. Beyond the financial support, it reminded us that we were not alone. Every contribution, every message, and every prayer made us feel that there were people standing beside Honey and cheering for his recovery.
“There are no words that can fully express our gratitude. People we had never met chose to help us and gave us the confidence to continue fighting for Honey’s recovery.”
— Nupur, Sister
Where Honey is today
Honey is doing much better than he was a few months ago, and for that we are extremely grateful. He still experiences weakness, and chemotherapy has caused some side effects, including issues with his leg. Recovery has not been easy, and there are still challenging days, but compared to the critical stages he went through earlier, we are encouraged by the progress he has made.
Doctors are now preparing him for a Bone Marrow Transplant. As a family, we have mixed emotions about it. We know it is a long, complex, and expensive process, and there is naturally anxiety and uncertainty. At the same time, the fact that doctors believe he is ready for this next phase fills us with renewed hope for his healthy future.
Facing a Bone Marrow Transplant on top of other family responsibilities?
A Bone Marrow Transplant is a long and expensive process, and it rarely arrives alone. Many families are also caring for another dependent at the same time. We help families reach a wider circle of support so no one has to choose between two crises.
Frequently asked questions
What does a high blast count mean in a blood cancer diagnosis?
Blast count refers to the percentage of immature blood cells in the bone marrow or blood. A healthy range is very low, so a count as high as 90%, as Honey’s was at diagnosis, indicates an aggressive leukemia requiring immediate and intensive treatment.
How much does a Bone Marrow Transplant cost in India?
Costs typically range from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh or more, depending on the hospital, transplant type, and any complications during recovery. Families often underestimate this cost while still managing the expenses of the chemotherapy phase that comes before it.
How can a family manage when two members need care at the same time?
Many families in this situation lean on relatives for rotational caregiving and prioritise the most urgent medical needs first. Crowdfunding can also ease the financial pressure of one crisis, freeing up attention and resources for the other.
How do I start a fundraiser for a 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 before the fundraiser goes live.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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