Help Anaya Fight Cancer (Neuroblastoma)

Let me tell you a little bit about Syeda Anaya Faisal. Anaya is a 10-year-old girl from Karachi, Pakistan. She is the most caring girl and truly has the biggest heart. She loves drawing and she's the best role model to her 2 younger siblings. Unfortunately, Anaya was diagnosed with a high-risk neuroblastoma in December 2021. This is her story.

 

It all started when Anaya began to have back pain in Pakistan. She went to the doctors for this issue and they told her to get a massage. Her back pain worsened and she began having pain in her lower abdomen. This time around, the doctors said she looked pale so they ran some tests. They tested her hemoglobin and it was a 4.5 (normally 8.5). They admitted her to the hospital and they said she would need 2 blood transfusions. They did a test and it said that the lower abdomen had a knot in it. The doctor then sent them to a spinal cord surgeon. Once they did the MRI and CT scan, they found a tumor at the back of her lung and in her lower spinal cord. Then they did an oncology biopsy and diagnosed Anaya with a cancer called neuroblastoma.

 

Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body. It can develop in areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and near the spine, where groups of nerve cells exist. The permanent solution that we are told is to get a bone marrow transplant.

 

Because Anaya was in Pakistan, her chances of survival were significantly reduced. Anaya’s hospital in Pakistan did not have a bone marrow facility nor did they have advanced technology. Seeking treatment at the Texas Medical Center would nearly double her chances at survival due to their expertise dealing with cancer patients especially in children. Anaya and her family decided to apply for their visa and come down to Houston, Texas to seek treatment. Anaya also has a younger brother, Mujtaba, and he is 7 years old. When they applied for their visa, Mujtaba did not get approved. Anaya's parents made the difficult decision to leave their 7-year-old son behind in Pakistan, while they came to Houston to get Anaya the proper treatment she needs.

 

Anaya is in the beginning stage of her treatment, the Induction. She would need 5 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and stem cell collection within 6 months. The next stage, Consolidation, is roughly 3 months where the bone marrow transplant and radiation takes place. The final stage, Post Consolidation, is when Dinutuximab will be given for about 6 months.

 

The Faisal family needs your help funding this treatment for Anaya. All of these costs add up including the cost of chemotherapy, the bone marrow transplant, in addition to everything else in her treatment phases which is well over 6 figures. Any help towards funding these costs would be greatly appreciated.

 

No amount donated is too small in our eyes. We are grateful for anything you or your family and friends can spare to help Anaya have the best chance at leading a rich and meaningful life. We aim to keep everyone updated on this page so you can share the journey with us and we are incredibly grateful for all the love, support and prayers that have come our way since Anaya's diagnosis.

Thank you from all of us,

 

Faisal Family