Dhanika Tripura: Fight for Life – A Story of Overcoming Adversity

Activity Serial No: LPT/ASN-1/006 | Project Type: Medical Treatment | Beneficiary: Ms. Dhanika Tripura, 6 years | Daughter of: Dharmakumar Tripura & Sashibala Tripura | Address: Battali, Manu, Dhalai, Tripura, India | Beneficiary Number: 1

On the 7th of December 2017, a heart-wrenching video went viral on Social Media. It featured a 6-7-year-old girl, Ms. Dhanika Tripura, crying out in agony from her hospital bed, her eyes swollen from an illness that had struck her down. In response to this distressing footage, our dedicated team of three members, Dr. Amulya Debbarma, a Gynecologist, Mr. Sajal Debbarma, and Mr. Philimon Jamatia, took immediate action and visited the Regional Cancer Center in Agartala, where Dhanika was admitted.

Upon our team’s arrival at the hospital, we discovered that Dhanika’s family was preparing to leave, as the doctors had informed them that her medical condition could not be treated at their facility. They were advised to seek medical help outside the state. Faced with this daunting prospect, Dhanika’s parents, Dharmakumar Tripura and Sashibala Tripura, who were illiterate daily laborers, felt they had no choice but to return to their village. They lacked the financial means and education to take their daughter elsewhere for the treatment she desperately needed.

Our team made a compassionate decision to assist this vulnerable patient. Dr. Amulya Debbarma generously donated Rs. 15,000 to facilitate Dhanika’s transfer to Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati, where she could receive more advanced medical care. However, we faced a significant challenge in finding a volunteer who could accompany them, given Dhanika’s family’s inability to undertake the journey themselves.

Over the next two days, we tirelessly searched for a volunteer and finally found one. By December 11th, 2017, we had arranged transportation, and Dhanika, accompanied by the volunteer, arrived in Guwahati on December 12th, 2017. She was subsequently admitted to Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute.

After a week of extensive tests and diagnoses, the doctors revealed that Dhanika was suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and required an extended period of medical treatment. Though her chances of survival were grim, her treatment demanded a substantial amount of financial support. In response to this development, we decided to initiate her treatment and reached out to the hospital authorities for any possible assistance, which they graciously offered. Simultaneously, we launched a crowdfunding campaign through Milaap.

With the support of Cover Asia Press, we managed to publish an article in the Daily Mail, complete with our crowdfunding donation link. In a nearly miraculous turn of events, we reached our initial goal of Rs. 15 lakh within hours of the article’s publication, and donations continued to pour in, ultimately exceeding Rs. 20 lakh in the days that followed. The crowdfunding campaign was expertly managed by our team member, Mr. Sajal Debbarma. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to him and to Cover Asia Press for their invaluable assistance in publicizing Dhanika’s plight.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the hospital authorities and the funds collected, comprehensive medical treatment began on December 18th, 2017, with Dhanika receiving her first chemotherapy treatment. In the initial stages, we had to arrange 2 to 3 units of blood for Dhanika almost every day, a practice that continued for several weeks. Over the course of the next 6-9 months, she would require a total of approximately 32 units of blood. Meeting this tremendous demand for blood was a formidable challenge, but with the help of Tiprasa students residing in Guwahati and dedicated volunteers, we successfully managed to secure the necessary donations.

After an entire year of medical treatment in 2018, Dhanika experienced an unexpected and miraculous improvement in her condition. Dr. Munlima Hazarika, Medical Oncologist at Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute, remarked, “Dhanika’s progress is nothing short of a miracle. Initially, her chances of survival were less than 5%, but she still has a long journey ahead to complete her treatment.”

This project stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment and determination. It has been our largest and longest-running project to date, providing us with invaluable knowledge and experience. Hundreds of individuals contributed to this project, demonstrating the kindness of the human spirit. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Cover Asia Press, the authorities of Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute, Dr. Munlima Hazarika, various organizations, blood donors, and everyone who played a part in Dhanika’s incredible journey to recovery. Thank you, one and all.