“Will I get better? Will I be able to go home soon? Will I be able to eat my favourite food again? Will I be able to go to school again?” – These were some of the questions Pankaj had on his first visit with his nutritionist, Hungshim. A year since then, Pankaj has been able to complete his treatment for Burkitt’s Lymphoma successfully at one of our partner hospitals.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And that’s exactly what this 13-year-old, his mother, Mini and our dedicated nutritionist have shown us all. It’s been no easy feat for Mini, a single mother who lost her husband 8 years ago, to figure out how to save her child. Mini works as a housekeeper and has 2 daughters as well. Despite countless uncertainties and immense financial strain, nothing deterred her from bringing her children from their hometown to the city for treatment. They even rented a small place nearby so Pankaj could stay close to the hospital.

For Mini, it’s taken superhuman strength to stay positive and stay energetic. – And she has you to thank for that. Pankaj and his family have been supported throughout his treatment with the Monthly Ration, Supplements & In-Meals programs.

With the nutrition of the entire family provided for, Pankaj and his mom could focus on following all our dietary advice. Pankaj’s life depended on it. When first assessed by his nutritionist Hungshim, his grade of malnutrition was ‘Severe Acute Malnutrition’,  a life-threatening condition that can compromise immunity, delay treatment, and worsen outcomes in children with cancer.

With dedication on the part of mother, child and nutritionist, his status gradually improved to ‘Well Nourished’ and he’s been able to fight all the treatment side-effects successfully. Mother and child would never skip a visit to Hungshim’s desk, and didn’t just ask questions, but followed every nugget of advice.

“Pankaj always challenges himself to be better. Following his diet and improving his nutritional status was a competition he liked having with himself,”

Hungshim tells us. “He loves his mom and wants to get better for her sake too. He loves science, dreams of being an army officer and just can’t wait to be back at school. I get to meet him less often these days as he only has monthly visits now, but I wait to hear him refer to me lovingly as “Shim Ma’am”. All the questions he had for me on our first visit – we’re turning the answers to a ‘YES!’, meal after meal, day after day.

It’s taken time and teamwork, but it’s been worth it. Thank you as always for being the glue that keeps our team of children, caregivers & nutritionists together.