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Thane Citizens Forum fund 6-year-old's cancer treatment

We were told that the boy has cancer and his parents are unable to treat him as they earn just enough to make ends meet, says Augustine

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Image for representation; (inset) Raj Shaikh, 6, with his mother
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Residents and members of the Thane Citizens Forum (TCF) have come together to crowdsource funds for the treatment of a six-year-old boy who has cancer.

A resident of Hiranandani Estate in Thane told Kasber Augustine, president, TCF, about Raj Shaikh, the boy who lives in Labor Camp nearby. "We were told that the boy has cancer and his parents are unable to treat him as they earn just enough to make ends meet," said Augustine, who met the parents on Friday and counselled them.

Raj's parents, Sabir Shaikh, 32 and Tofura are from Kolkatta. Sabir is a construction worker while Tofura works as a domestic help in Hiranandani Meadows. Raj was diagnosed with cancer when he was four-years-old and since then his father has had to sell off their farm, house, bike and jewellery for his medical treatment.

"After our money got over we came to Thane to find work to pay off our debts as well as carry on with Raj's treatment," said Sabir who earns daily wages of Rs 220.

Since both his parents had to struggle to put food on their plates, it also meant leaving Raj unattended at home. That is when TCF stepped in and offered to help.

"We spoke to doctors at Bethany Hospital in Thane who agreed to treat him," said Kasber. Raj was taken to the hospital on April 22 where he was admitted for a day and treated for measles. "The hospital did not have a bed available in the general ward so they kept him in a special room and treated him free of cost," added Kasber.

The members of TCF have gone a step further and even arranged for a month's salary for the family to be able to take care of Raj. "His mother earns Rs 10,000 a month as a domestic help and that has been taken care of by us. This will allow her to be with him," said Kasber.

Raj, due to the immense pain he was in, once wished to die but is now feeling better. "My son is happy now and on Sunday he ate food after two days as he had measles," said Sabir.

The family and TCF members are now waiting for Raj's medical reports to arrive from Kolkatta, where his parents left them before arriving in Mumbai. "By May 1 we should receive the reports after which the treatment can begin. Our members are already pooling in money and resources to help the family. Other citizens are also welcome to support this cause," said Kasber.

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