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Four Brave Children. One Shared Dream—To Live Beyond Cancer

Not just cancer, another obstacle stands in the way of these kids. Read on to find out.

Updated on: Jun 26, 2025, 14:44:05 IST
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Behind the ICU bed curtains and cancer wards in the corridors of hospitals are the tales of young warriors—children fighting cancer with incredible courage. There are four of them among such brave ones—Mallela Varun Kowshik, Sneha Yadav, Sekh Izaz, and baby Shriyaan Kurve.

[In frame from left to right: Shriyaan (11 months old); Sekh Izaz (3 years old); Mallela Varun & Sneha (both 9 years old)]
[In frame from left to right: Shriyaan (11 months old); Sekh Izaz (3 years old); Mallela Varun & Sneha (both 9 years old)]
[In frame: Varun with his father, who works in a small salon]
[In frame: Varun with his father, who works in a small salon]

From karate to cancer, Varun’s life took a turn.

Just months ago, 9-year-old Varun was unstoppable—a karate champ, a dancer, a child bursting with life and earning medals. Then came the fever. His parents, who run a tiny village salon, initially thought it was dengue.

It wasn’t.

It was blood cancer.

Now, walking just a few steps weakens Varun. Chemotherapy has wrecked his body. After the first cycle, his body became infected with pus. By the third cycle, ulcers in his mouth prevent him from eating. Weak from cancer & weaker from relying on a liquid diet, his hair has now fallen out.

Now, his parents are out of resources to continue his treatment, but he still needs care.

Cancer is cruel. But giving up isn't an option- not for this karate champ!

[In frame: Sneha’s mother trying to comfort her]
[In frame: Sneha’s mother trying to comfort her]

Sneha’s family left everything behind to save her life

“I want to keep my parents happy. They cry because I’m sick,” says 9-year-old Sneha, whose life has been overtaken by Mixed Phenotypic Acute Leukemia—a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

Sneha loves to draw, but after swelling in her body after five rounds of chemotherapy, she can barely hold a pencil. Her family has left everything behind in Betul and come to Delhi for her treatment, desperate to save her.

She’s braved five rounds of chemotherapy. Now, she needs a bone marrow transplant. Her father is a half-match, ready to save his daughter, but they can’t afford the cost. Away from home, helpless in a new city, the Yadav family has no one to turn to.

[In frame: Izaz with his parents as he gets treated in the hospital]
[In frame: Izaz with his parents as he gets treated in the hospital]

Little Izaz won the worst of all, only to get sicker

Three-year-old Sekh Izaz had already won his battle with cancer. But the victory was short-lived. Today, still at the hospital, he keeps asking his mother, “When will we go back home? What are these pipes?”

With his lungs severely affected, he relies on machines to breathe. Without urgent treatment, at just 3 years old, Izaz might lose his life.

His parents, day labourers with empty pockets, are watching their little boy slip away. Extremely worried & helpless, they don’t know who to ask for help.

[In frame: Little Shriyaan at the hospital, getting treated]
[In frame: Little Shriyaan at the hospital, getting treated]

Will ‘cancer’ & ‘hospital’ be Shriyaan’s first words?

Instead of toys, 11-year-old Shriyaan’s tiny hands grasp onto the ventilator.

Still learning to sit & walk, Shriyaan is already fighting for his life. Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, he needs treatment before the cancer spreads further, claiming his life.

His mother, Pooja Kurve, says, “It breaks my heart when I see him holding the ventilator to his nose like it’s normal. As parents, we should be taking him to parks, not hospitals, for chemo sessions.

We’re trying our best, but are struggling to afford the lakhs needed to save our child’s life.”

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There is all the love in each of these households, but not much money.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but you can all provide hope. Your donation can pay for a round of chemotherapy, a life-saving transplant or other life-changing treatment.

These kids need urgent help. They are not asking for luxuries—they are fighting for their lives and are asking for help to survive.

  • You can alter the direction of their journeys.
  • Your donation can be the reason behind a child's smile, a parent's relief, and a family's hope.
  • Go to ImpactGuru.com today and make your mark. Let’s not let cost decide the fate of a child.
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