BA8217;s healing touch for children

November 5: This year's Children's Day will put a smile on the faces of four needy children suffering from cancer and in urgent need of tre...

November 5: This year8217;s Children8217;s Day will put a smile on the faces of four needy children suffering from cancer and in urgent need of treatment abroad, courtesy British Airways. Five were short-listed earlier, but the fifth candidate had to drop out owing to shortage of funds at the Cancer Patients Aid Treatment CPAA.

The BA Frequent Flyers scheme has gifted 1.3 million miles from its accumulated mileage in a span of 6 months to enable these children make the overseas journey. The gifted miles represent 26 return trips to the UK.

Those selected under this scheme have been chosen by a committee of doctors and members of the CPAA, based on the patients8217; response to treatment.Four-year-old Preeti not her real name fell sick in July, and medical tests revealed leukemia. She has been undergoing chemotherapy ever since. Her courage hasn8217;t suffered a dent, though. During a blood transfusion, when she learnt that her uncle was donating his blood, she cried, 8220;He is giving me blood? Won8217;t he become weak?8221;

CPAA wanted to confer the Winner in Life award to Preeti, celebrating the efforts of a cancer patient to fight the dreaded disease. Her parents refused, simply praying for their child to get better.

Twenty-year-old Anahita Irani was recently diagnosed as suffering from carcinoid with liver metastases. She8217;s fond of pickles, and feels that could have caused the disease. Not too keen on academics, she was considering dropping out of college to set up a beauty parlour. But fate had other plans. Anahita has been in the hospital for more than a month now.

However, she has been a great source of strength for her family. The family is quite open about her illness. A singer and a dancer, she is excited about life itself. 8220;I8217;m really excited about going abroad,8221; says she.

Another patient, a cheerful ten-year-old Jyoti, is suffering from acute lymphoid leukemia ALL and is undergoing maintenance treatment. Unable to attend school, she has a private tutor give her lessons at home. Like her, eight-year-old Benhur Joseph is also suffering from ALL. Being the only child, it was a bolt from the blue for his parents, but they felt it appropriate to break the news to their child, rather than him learning from outsiders. Revealing Benhur8217;s sickness has had its own advantages. His friends have become very protective. He now wants to become an oncologist when he grows up. 8220;I have been through it so I know how it feels.8221;

Story continues below this ad

Fifteen-month-old Asma suffers from neuro blastoma, the cure for which costs a staggering Rs 25-30 lakh, available only abroad. She has to undergo chemotherapy every fortnight, and fears people in white, since they signify an impending chemotherapy session.

Every year, nearly 25,000 children in India are diagnosed as suffering from cancer. Now, four of them have some reason for good cheer.