Cancer blinds vision of four-year old

She has continued her battle for life while her parents, Mahabala Bhandari and Jayashree are at their wits’ end as the meagre income from their small barber shop doesn’t suffice to provide her with proper treatment. Keerthana, born four years after the couple married in 2003, was the apple of their eye. However, the joy didn’t last long as her eyes turned yellowish even before her first birthday. They took her to a doctor in Kundapur who advised them to consult a specialist.

The couple took her to Kasturba Medical College in Manipal where a team of doctors diagnosed tumour in her eyes. They conducted a surgery on the infected eye immediately to prevent the chances of it spreading to the other eye. They later advised them to go to Hyderbad. But, it was beyond the means of Mahabala and Jayashree who were struggling hard to earn a day’s meal and had exhausted all their resources for the child’s medical expenses.

Though the team led by Dr Vijay Pai at the hospital operated on Keerthana’s other eye, she lost vision. After a few days when the pus began oozing out, the parents rushed her again to the hospital where she was diagnosed with cancer.

The doctors have begun the initial course of chemotherapy. The sight of the parents fighting their tears while feigning a polite smile and answering the endless questions of the curious child leaves one with a twinge of pain. Those who wish to financially assist Keerthana may send a cheque drawn on her Savings Bank Account no. 4249 at Karnataka Bank, Siddapur.