Hello good people,

Today I am writing on behalf of Maruf Raihan Anannyo, a Computer Science and Engineering graduate from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), the same institution where I earned my bachelor's degree in Bangladesh. Just when he was about to start a new chapter in his life after graduation, in 2023 he was diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Cancer following an acute illness. Due to the size and growth of the tumor, he underwent surgery at Chennai Apollo Hospital in India, where doctors successfully removed the tumor but had to take out a large portion of his spleen and stomach. The treatment cost around 3 million BDT. After the surgery, Maruf went through 34 sessions of radiotherapy at Delta Hospital in Dhaka, and in a final check-up in January of 2024, the radiation oncologists in Bangladesh declared he is cured.

However, just within three months, in April 2024, Maruf began to experience the symptoms again. A CT scan confirmed the return of tumors, about 4-5 tumors being present in both the subhepatic region and colon. Doctors recommended immediate surgery, and the second surgery was conducted at the Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka on May 27. In that surgery, the doctors did not reconnect his rectum and colon to prevent the cancer from spreading, instead fitting him with a colostomy bag. After a biopsy, doctors suggested chemotherapy. Maruf is currently in Mumbai, where he has already received 3 out of the 6 prescribed doses of chemotherapy. However, a significant amount of funds is urgently necessary for the remaining PET-CT scan, the remaining 3 doses of chemotherapy, and a potential third surgery to reconnect the colon and rectum.

Maruf’s family had taken out a large amount of loans during the first round of treatments and had just begun to recover financially when the cancer relapsed. After the relapse, the recent surgery and diagnosis at Ibn Sina in Dhaka have already cost them another 500,000 BDT. For the remaining chemotherapy, medicines, assessments, and the third surgery, an estimated 1 million BDT (approximately 9000 USD) is still required. His family is under extreme financial pressure right now to assist him to get through this challenging time. Therefore, the goal is to collect the necessary funds as early as possible. Every penny that is contributed here will entirely go into his father’s bank account in Bangladesh. Though our alumni association from SUST began to fundraise around two weeks ago, we couldn't raise enough funds yet.

On behalf of Maruf, his loved ones, friends, and well-wishers, I am asking you to take a moment aside and support him in this critical battle for his life. Fighting cancer is difficult enough as it is. Let's at least ensure that the financial barriers cannot hinder the chance of Maruf’s recovery and his return to normal life. If you’ve read this, I wholeheartedly appreciate your time here and for any kind contributions you may have offered.

With Gratitude

Sristy Sangskriti

Graduate Student

University of Delaware