In 2011, Monica and Arvind R Vohra\u2019s five year old son Aaryan was diagnosed with blood cancer. The news left the couple shattered, but with great courage and determination, they prepared for the tough time ahead. It was then that they learnt that the chances of recovery from Leukemia (blood cancer) were as high as 90 per cent in children below the age of 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statistic was an eye-opener for them. They had assumed\nthe worst, and then they realized that if this information came as a surprise\nto them, what could be said of people from underprivileged, unexposed sections\nof the society? It was this statistic that pushed the Delhi-based couple to\nstart Leukemia Crusaders (LC) \u2013 an organization that helps raise awareness and\nprovide financial assistance to children battling Leukemia across India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the couple approached Aaryan\u2019s doctor for more information\non the subject, they got to know that though a number of government schemes\nexist to fund the cancer treatment of underprivileged children, the lack of\nawareness of these schemes was the biggest hurdle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are various government schemes available for the\ntreatment of blood cancer, but since most parents are unaware of these, very\noften they either abandon the treatment because of lack of funds or do not get\nthe children admitted at all,\u201d explains Monica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Till the family makes arrangements for alternate finances,\nLC funds the treatment for 20 to 25 days in some hospitals to up to a month in\nothers. The organization calls it \u201cBridge Funding\u201d, and has found it an\neffective way to ensure continued treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n