Ayush is just 9 years old, but the challenges he and his family have faced could humble even the strongest among us. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), this young boy from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, began his fight against cancer far away from the comforts of home.

Ayush’s family of four includes his parents and a sibling. Travel from their village was difficult, with limited transport options, but they made every possible effort to continue his treatment without disruption. His father, a carpenter and the sole breadwinner, had to quit his job so they could relocate to Varanasi for Ayush’s treatment. So, even with no stable income, they took a loan and rented a room near the hospital. His mother, Manisha, still gets emotional when she looks back. She shared how it felt like their world was falling apart “We kept asking ourselves, why our child? What did we do wrong?” she said. During the hardest times, Ayush’s paternal uncle stepped in to support the family when they had nothing left.

Through it all, Cuddles Foundation stood by them. Ayush became a beneficiary of our Supplement, Ration and In-meals programme, which played a crucial role in his recovery. When he was first registered, he was moderately undernourished. With consistent nutritional support and care, Ayush gradually moved to a well-nourished state, helping him stay strong through treatment.

Our Cuddles Nutritionist, Anamika Kumari, shares that Ayush is a calm and sincere child who follows every bit of advice. His compliance has been excellent throughout, and the relationship they’ve built is one of mutual trust and warmth.

Today, Ayush is back in school, studying in the 3rd grade. He loves maths and the games he plays with his friends. Inspired by the care and dedication he saw during his treatment, he now dreams of becoming a doctor.

His mother’s message to other families, “Don’t lose hope. Be patient and believe in the process. Things will get better. Just hold on.”