Aarav, 6

Aarav’s story

Aarav lives with his parents and baby sister near Alibag. In June his mother noticed his stomach looked swollen on one side. The local doctor sent them to Mumbai, three hours away, where a scan found a tumour in his left kidney.

His father drives an auto-rickshaw and his mother looks after the family. After the first scans and biopsy, their savings were gone. Aarav’s treatment plan is 24 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the kidney, then more chemotherapy. Children with Wilms tumour caught at this stage have a good chance of a full cure.

“He calls the hospital ‘the elephant place’ because of the drawing on the wall.” – his mother

Treatment so far

1. DiagnosedJune 2026. CT scan and biopsy confirm Wilms tumour, stage II.
2. Chemotherapy startedJuly 2026. Tolerating it well, mild nausea.
3. Chemotherapy week 9 of 24October 2026. Tumour has shrunk by about half.
4. SurgeryPlanned for December 2026.
5. Final chemotherapy and follow-upJanuary to April 2027.

Profile checked by the CKSOS medical team on 14 October 2026. Name changed to protect the family.