20/01/2025
My name is Ritu Karmakar, and I am a mother desperate to save her little boy. My son, Ridip, is just five years old, yet he is fighting a war no child should ever have to face. He is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that has relentlessly plagued his young life. Each day is a battle for survival, and I am doing everythingâevery ounce, every small bitâto save him. But I cannot do it alone.
Our nightmare began in February 2020 when Ridip was just a year and a half old. His cancer journey started with orbital sarcoma in his eye. At a time when the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, my familyâs world was crumbling under the weight of his diagnosis. We sold everything we could, scraped together every rupee, and with the help of well-wishers, we began treatment. For ten agonizing months, Ridip endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Finally, he recovered, and we thought we had triumphed over this dreadful disease.
But cancer is a cruel enemy. In 2021, it returned, stronger and more aggressive. My husband and I were shattered but determined not to give up. We sold our home, our car, and everything we had built over the years. Ridip underwent another grueling round of treatments. The pain was unbearable for him, but he never stopped fighting. Against all odds, he defeated the disease once more. We dared to hope that this time, the victory would last.
Our hopes were dashed again in 2022 when the cancer struck for the third time, this time in his parotid gland. Surgery after surgery, round after round of chemotherapy, we fought with all we had left. But this time, the aftermath was devastating. The operation left Ridipâs face partially paralyzed. My once cheerful little boy, who loved to smile, now couldnât blink or laugh on one side of his face. He would cry, âMummy, will I ever be able to smile again?â The pain in his voice broke me into pieces.
Through endless physiotherapy, we managed to restore some movement. He smiled again. And for a brief, fleeting moment, we thought our nightmare was finally over. But within months, the cancer returned, more aggressive than ever, spreading to his throat gland. Today, as I write this, my sonâs body is ravaged by pain. He canât sleep, he canât eat, and yet, he clings to hope. Recently, Ridip said to me, âMummy, I have âš2,000 in my piggy bank. Please give it to the doctor so I can stop hurting.â His words shattered me. How can such a little boy carry so much burden?
I have nothing left. No home, no savings, no possessions. I have given everything to save my son. But I will not stop fighting for him. He is my worldâmy light in this darkness. Ridip is a gentle, bright, and kind-hearted child. Despite his pain, he dreams of a future where he can run, play, and smile freely. As a mother, I cannot let those dreams slip away.
This is why I am reaching out to you, pleading with all my heart. Ridip needs life-saving surgery, and the cost is âš13,00,000. It is an amount far beyond what I can afford, but with your help, I know it is possible. Every donation, no matter how small, will bring us closer to saving Ridipâs life. Your kindness and generosity can give my son the chance to smile again, to dream again, and to live.
Please, if you can, contribute to this fundraiser and share it with your family, friends, and community. Your support, prayers, and compassion mean the world to us. Together, we can give Ridip the future he deserves.
Thank you for standing by us in our darkest hour. Your kindness is our light of hope.
