12-year-old Prabhjot Fights Cancer, Labourer Father Struggles To Save Him

Just a few months ago, 12-year-old Prabhjot was like any other cheerful boy-attending school, playing with his younger brother, happy and carefree. But now, his days are spent inside a hospital room, hooked to drips and tubes, battling cancer.

It started with a fever, but turned out to be cancer

“When he first had fever and cough, we thought it was just a seasonal infection. But within days, his condition worsened, and he was struggling to breathe. The doctors said it was pneumonia and admitted him immediately. Later, after several tests, they told us that he has blood cancer. I refused to believe at firs,t but all the symptoms said otherwise. Our whole world came crashing down.” - Harwinder, mother

The family rushed Prabhjot to Chandigarh, where he underwent two months of chemotherapy treatment. He has now been referred to the hospital in Ludhiana for a bone marrow transplant, which is the only way to save his life.

Family torn apart, struggling to survive

Prabhjot’s father, Balraj Singh, works as a daily wager earning rupees 400 on the days he gets work. But since March, he hasn’t been able to go to work because of his son’s treatment. The family is now living in a small rented room near the hospital in Ludhiana, while their younger son stays with the grandparents in their village, 150 km away.

“They ask about each other every day. His younger brother calls and says, ‘maa, when will Bhaiya come home?’ and I have no answer…” - Harwinder, mother

He knows he has cancer, but hasn’t lost hope

“Prabhjot can read, so he’s the first one to check any report that comes in. He knows everything and still smiles through it. He never complains, even during chemotherapy. He keeps saying, ‘I’ll be fine soon after the treatment , you don’t worry’ but he doesn’t know that we can’t afford the treatment any further,” - Balraj, father

The family has already spent rupees 10 lakh, all borrowed, on chemotherapy. The bone marrow transplant will cost rupees 35 lakh, far beyond their means.

We want to take him home healthy

Balraj’s small income is nowhere near enough to continue the treatment. With no savings and mounting debt, they are helpless.

“My son is fighting with all his strength, but I feel like I’m failing him. We have nothing left to sell or mortgage. I just want to take him home cancer-free, healthy and happy. I fear that my incapability might cost my son his life. I don’t want to lose him.” – Balraj, father