SUPPORT AARAV FIGHT ATRT (BRAIN CANCER)

Dear Family, Friends and Kind-hearted Strangers,

Aarav, my 3-year-old nephew from Nairobi, Kenya, is a remarkable boy with a bright future. Full of curiosity and energy, he explores the world with enthusiasm, and his days are filled with playful antics and imaginative games. However, on June 22, 2024, everything changed.

While playing on a seemingly normal morning, Aarav suddenly felt dizzy and lost his balance, although he remained cheerful. Shortly after, he complained of a headache while he points onto his forehead which followed by rolling back of his eyes and being unresponsive for the longest 7 seconds of our life. As soon as he regained consciousness, he vomited and appeared extremely weak and pale. We rushed him to Aga Khan Hospital Emergency for an urgent evaluation. Since that day, he had suffered from persistent early morning headache and vomiting with 1-2 occurrences daily.

We were then later on requested to do CT Scan and MRI because all his blood work results were normal.

Aarav didn’t have any unusual signs that could suggest he’s having ill health. He’s been well from the day he was born. That’s why, the result of CT Scan and MRI had really shaken us. This news has been devastating and distressing for our family, our lives have been turned upside down.

2nd July 2024, Aarav got admitted for 3 days in Aga Khan Hospital to manage the swelling of his brain due to the growth being AP 6.6cm CC 5.6cm TR 4.7cm, and in preparation for his surgery. As per his Neurosurgeon’s advice, he needed to undergo surgery urgently and as per his Pediatrician, we must specifically go for a Hospital and Neurosurgeon who specializes Gamma Knife Technology, for this alone, can testify the medical credentials.

We found Dr. B.K. Misra, a Neurosurgeon at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai. Aarav was under his care from 10-17th July 2024, whereby, Aarav underwent an incision surgery on 12th July 2024.

A histopathology was carried out from Hinduja Hospital was confirmed by a second analysis at Tata Memorial Hospital, revealing a high grade tumor - Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) - WHO grade 4. A very rare and aggressive type of cancer.

Given Aarav’s age and it being a delicate case, we sought multiple opinions. 6 oncologists— 1 from St. Jude’s US, 1 from the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, 2 each from Hinduja Hospital and Tata Memorial Hospital— recommended 30 sessions of Proton Beam Therapy under Pediatric Anaesthesia (Monday through Friday for six weeks) and 6-8 cycles of chemotherapy.

Proton Beam Therapy is available in only two hospitals in India: Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai. Although Aarav is registered with Tata Memorial Hospital, which offers the most affordable Proton Beam Therapy globally, the facility is not yet equipped of paediatric anaesthesia for this procedure and is expected to start in August 2024. If delays occur, Aarav will be referred to Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, where the procedure is already available.

Our family has been facing a challenging time. My mother (Aarav’s paternal grandmother) has had 3 cancer-related surgeries since 2020, with the most recent in February this year. She is scheduled for radiotherapy soon. The news of Aarav’s condition, coming so soon after my mother’s surgery, has been shattering. Yet, we remain hopeful and trust in God's plan.

This is why we are turning to you, our community, and beyond. We have set up this GoFundMe campaign to help raise the funds necessary to support Aarav’s treatment due to its urgency. Every donation, big or small, will be a huge help and make a significant difference in easing the financial strain and allowing us to focus on what matters most: helping Aarav fight and recover.

Your generosity will directly support:

- Proton Beam Therapy and Chemotherapy Sessions

- Treatments and other medications during and in between therapy sessions

Gurpreet (Aarav’s Father), Jessica (Aarav’s Mother), and the entire Family deeply appreciate your support.

Together, we can provide Aarav with the strength and resources needed to overcome this challenge and continue his joyful, healthy life. He deserves to see his future and experience the beauty of the world.

We will provide updates on his progress as treatment continues.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

[Disclaimer: We have revised this post to include more detailed information.]