Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 14: Thanish N Gatty, an eight-year-old who should have been enjoying his childhood like other kids, is instead fighting for his life.

Thanish, a resident of Kankanady here, has been diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in July 2020. HLH is a severe systemic inflammatory syndrome, and a rare disease that can be fatal unless treated.

The only curative option is bone marrow transplant, but as he has no siblings, it has to be either from an unrelated donor or haploidentical, according to a letter given by Dr Sunil Bhat, BMT physician from Narayana Health.

The transplant would cost around Rs 50 lac, according to Dr Harsha Prasada L, consultant paediatrician, haemato-oncologist, KMC Hospital Attavar.

Thanish's father Naveen used to work as a watchman, but has been unemployed for seven months. The family is in dire straits and unable to afford the hospital expenses.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Naveen said, "Initially, Thanish developed a fever, after which he was taken to hospital. There he underwent various tests and the doctor gave him medicines for his condition as the tests revealed some health issues. Later, he was shifted to another private hospital, even there he underwent various tests. He has been admitted to the ICU twice. From there he was taken to KMC hospital. There the doctor advised a bone marrow transplant as a permanent solution."

The family has made earnest appeal to individuals and philanthropists to help save their child.

Those who wish to help Thanish may send their contribution to the following bank details:

Account name: Naveen
Bank: State Bank Of India, Bajal
Bank address: Holy Spirit Church, Mangaluru - 575027
Account number: 38955686728
IFSC code: SBIN0009052
Google Pay: 7899500542
Contact: 7899500542