Help Abhishek Beat Leukemia

Hello friends, family, and community!

I created this fundraiser at the request of my friend Anita, whose 16-year-old son Abhishek was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in April 2024.

Anita and her family have done everything possible to successfully treat Abhishek. The journey has been extremely difficult and medically complex. The leukemia did not respond to initial treatments (induction protocol/chemotherapy) and Abhishek developed serious complications requiring extended hospitalization. The family, from Nepal, eventually relocated to India for advanced treatment; and, in November 2024, Abhishek received a bone marrow transplant from his older brother Sushant.

Abhishek isn’t out of the woods. He has already been hospitalized once since his transplant and will require additional chemotherapy and close monitoring for several years.

The family has been financially overwhelmed and is seeking assistance. A donation in any amount is greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

In gratitude, Namaste,

Maya

The following was written by Abhishek’s brother and bone marrow donor, Sushant Shakya:

Help Abhishek Fight Leukemia and Rebuild His Life

Hello, I am reaching out to you for support for my younger brother Abhishek who has been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) since April 2024.

Our family is from Nepal, a small country between China and India. At the time of his diagnosis, Abhishek was 16 years old. He was in 11th grade, an avid student (especially good at computer science) and an active teenager whose favorite hobbies included playing basketball with friends and working out. Last year, he became unusually tired and started struggling with daily tasks. Initially, we thought it was due to poor diet or lack of sleep. But when his coughing and insomnia became extreme, my father took him to the doctor, and we learned that he had leukemia with fungal pneumonia.

This diagnosis has turned my family’s world upside down. Abhishek began chemotherapy immediately and spent more than 4 months in treatment (mostly in the hospital due to complications). But his body did not respond to treatment and the doctors informed us that he would need a bone marrow transplant to have a chance at survival.

Nepal doesn’t have the necessary facilities for this treatment, so my family made the decision to move to India for the procedure. Fortunately, I was a close enough genetic match that I was able to be my brother’s bone marrow donor and, in November 2024, my brother received a transplant at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCIRC) in India. My brother’s treatment is ongoing. He is still undergoing chemotherapy and will need to remain under close watch for the next few years to ensure he stays in remission and avoids relapse.

Why We Need Your Help

The cost of my brother’s treatment, chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and ongoing medical care has been overwhelming for my family, especially with the added strain of traveling and staying in India for extended periods. Your generous support will help cover medical bills, medications, transportation, and the necessary aftercare that he requires for the next few years. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, brings Abhishek one step closer to a full recovery and rebuilding his life. Your support means everything to our family. Please consider donating and sharing this page with your friends and family. Together, we can beat leukemia!

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

On behalf of the Shakya family,

Sushant Shakya

A personal note (Maya):

I have known Anita Shakya since the early 1990s when I lived and volunteered in Kathmandu, Nepal. Anita was one of my students and, in subsequent visits, I had the pleasure of meeting her husband Surendra, a talented sculpture and artist, and their sons, Sushant and Abhishek. The joy and warmth of Anita and her family is truly extraordinary, and spending time with them are amongst my most treasured memories.

Financial assistance:

All financial assistance received through this GoFundMe campaign will be wired to Abhishek’s father, Surendra Shakya.