Battle still on for this victor

“I was working as a design engineer with ACC Cements and had voluntarily retired in 2000 to spend time with my grandson. I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2001. I lost 30 kg in a month. It did not hit me immediately but the following two years were the worst of my life. I had lost all my body hair and was perpetually bleeding from my nose,mouth and rectum. Also,my nails had turned blue,” says Daruwalla who resorted to both allopathic and natural treatments till he was declared cancer-free.

Having gone through the medical procedures himself,Daruwalla now helps poor patients file their applications and ensure they go for regular health check-up. He collects rags from a local tailor and stitches them to make quilts and pillows for patients and also distributes home-made concoction of methi and garlic which helps relieve pain.

Uncle believes in the necessity to educate himself than questioning doctors. “I started reading a lot about cancer and I can call myself a qualified patient. In 2002,I read about the benefits of wheat grass to cure cancer. I then started growing wheat grass at home and drank its juice everyday. Now,I give wheat grass to other patients too.”

Daruwalla grows wheat grass in his kitchen.

Aware of the treatment costs,Uncle approached Max Foundation,which provided him with medicines worth Rs 55 lakh,free of cost. “I’m fortunate to have friends and family who help me raise funds for other patients. I send money to organisations like V Care and Jeevan Jyot who do a great deal for Cancer patients. I take food and sweets to Tata Hospital on a regular basis and buy spectacles for patients as their eyes get intensely affected because of cancer.”

These are just gestures,which are all made at his own cost. But Uncle feels that if he can bring smiles on the faces of patients,it’s all worth it.

“While family and friends are my pillars,I had to fight the battle all on my own. My children also believed that their father would fight it out eventually.”

And now,Hosi Daruwalla helps others fight the disease.