MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
One Kidney Wasn’t Enough: A Mother’s Fight to Save Her Only Son
When my son Shivam’s kidney disease first changed his life, he was still studying and dreaming of building a career after his B.Tech. His condition became so serious that I donated my own kidney to give my only son another chance at a normal life — but our hope was short-lived, and today we are still fighting for his health.
One Kidney, Given
What I gave my son in his first transplant
₹90,000 / Day
The cost of ICU care during his most critical episodes
Hoping for a Second Transplant
Once Shivam is stable enough for the procedure
A career he never got to start
When Shivam’s kidney disease first changed his life, he was still studying and dreaming of building a career after completing his B.Tech. His condition later became so serious that I donated my own kidney to give my only son another chance at a normal life.
For a short while after the transplant, things finally seemed to be getting better. Shivam regained strength and began talking about starting work and supporting me. But our hope was short-lived when a severe infection damaged the transplanted kidney, forcing him back into dialysis and repeated hospitalisation.
“For a short while, things finally seemed to be getting better. Shivam regained his strength and began talking about starting work. But our hope was short-lived when an infection damaged the transplanted kidney.”
— Seema, Mother
A fragile health, and the need for another transplant
Since then, Shivam’s health has remained fragile. He has suffered from extreme weakness, and during severe episodes, fluid has accumulated in his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe. His doctors have said that another kidney transplant may be needed once he becomes stable enough for the procedure.
Selling everything we had left
For me, this journey has been devastating. I had already lost my husband after Shivam’s kidney disease was diagnosed, and I later gave my own kidney to save my son. I have now sold my jewellery and land and borrowed heavily to continue his treatment, while relatives who once helped have gradually stopped supporting us.
The financial burden has become increasingly difficult to manage. Shivam’s hospitalisations, dialysis, medicines and other medical expenses have continued to drain whatever resources our family had left. At one point, ICU care alone was costing nearly ₹90,000 a day, while each dialysis session cost around ₹2,500.
“After everything we have already endured, I only want to see my son healthy again.”
— Seema, Mother
Refusing to give up
Despite everything, I have refused to give up on my son. Even after exhausting my savings and taking on debt, I continue to stay beside Shivam through his hospital visits and dialysis sessions.
Today, Shivam remains on the road to recovery, but his fight is far from over. Our family is hoping that once his condition stabilises, he can receive the transplant his doctors have recommended and get another chance at the life he had once imagined for himself.
For a mother who has already given her son her own kidney and sacrificed almost everything she had, my hope remains the same: to see Shivam regain his health, return to a normal life and one day be able to stand on his own feet again.
Facing the cost of a kidney transplant or critical ICU care?
ICU stays, dialysis and the eventual cost of a transplant can add up to lakhs of rupees within days, far beyond what most families can manage through savings alone. We help families reach a wider circle of support so treatment doesn’t have to stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ICU care and dialysis cost in India?
Costs vary by hospital and city, but critical ICU care can run into tens of thousands of rupees a day, while a single dialysis session commonly costs a few thousand rupees. For Shivam’s family, ICU care alone at times cost close to ₹90,000 a day, on top of regular dialysis expenses.
Can a second kidney transplant be done if the first one fails?
Yes, a second kidney transplant is possible if the first transplanted kidney fails, though the patient typically needs to be medically stable before undergoing another major surgery. Doctors usually monitor the patient closely and plan the timing carefully to give the new transplant the best chance of success.
Why does fluid build up in the lungs in patients with kidney failure?
When the kidneys are not working properly, the body can struggle to remove excess fluid, which can build up in the lungs and cause breathlessness. This is often managed with dialysis and other treatments to help the body clear the extra fluid.
How do I start a fundraiser for a kidney transplant?
You typically need a diagnosis report, a treatment cost estimate from the hospital, and 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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