A young boy from India who lost sight in both of his eyes due to rare cancer that made his eyes bleed and pop out can now see again, thanks to the generosity of a British investment banker.
At the age of just four years, Sagar Dorji got childhood leukemia that made his eyes bleed, swell and pop out of his eye sockets.
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Back in 2016, the parents of the poor lad, Prakash and Ksusum Dorji, told MailOnline that their son was in a lot of pain and they thought it was due to some sort of a curse.
Luckily for the suffering child, the story caught the eye of Himanta Biswa, State Minister of Assam, north-eastern India where the boy was from.
The minister got them help from the government and flew the boy 1,800 miles away to Bangalore, South India, for chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Neetha Shiva, a British investment banker, also found the boy’s story and decided to fund the crucial medical procedure that made Sagar able to see again.
Sagar, now seven, is free of leukemia and has sight restored in one of his eyes. He is going to start school soon. As of now, he loves Bollywood films, cricket, and music.
Sagar left a message for his supporters from all over the world who followed his case closely, saying: “Hi and thanks everybody, my eyes do not hurt now. I Love you!”
Forty-four-year-old Neetha, form London, who provided $4,500 for Sagar’s cornea transplant surgery is still financially supporting the family.
Speaking to MailOnline, she said she is delighted at the speedy recovery of the boy. The banker said: “When I first learned about Sagar he was in terrible pain and was dying of cancer.
“Now he is a happy little boy who is looking forward to going to school.
“It is truly amazing that a little boy who suffered so much and was not expected to live is now thriving and has some meaningful vision.
“Despite all the pain and suffering and four years of intensive hospital treatment Sagar has remained strong and resilient throughout.
“He has never lost his capacity to laugh and enjoy life and is super smart! I have no doubt that he has a brilliant future ahead of him.
“My thanks goes to MailOnline for highlighting this case and for the amazing doctors for all their hard work and dedication.”
Sagar’s family, who are farmers from Assam can never be thankful enough for all the support they have got from Neetha and other well-wishers from all over the world.
Sagar’s father, Prakash, said: “Neetha Madam reached out to use and offered to give us help.
“She cared for us and and my son Sagar like we are her family for the last four years. She never gave up hope that our son’s sight would come back.
“All the doctors initially said this would not happen, but she believed in Sagar.
“We thank God for her kindness, energy and love and that of all the doctors who have helped us. We are truly humbled that people in the UK have shown such support to us. We sincerely thank you.”
Initially, four-year-old Sagar was diagnosed by the doctors of Bangalore to have myeloid leukemia which has a very minor chance of affecting the eye’s blood circulation mechanism.
To treat the condition, Sagar had to undergo a $33,000 bone marrow transplant surgery that was funded by the Indian government. His sister Ipadevi Dorji donated the bone marrow for the procedure.
The man treating Sagar for leukemia, Dr. Sunil Bhat said: “Sagar is now more than three years post bone marrow transplant and can considered almost cured of his cancer.
“It has been a great team effort from many specialists to look after him and his family and Ms Neetha.”
Sagar’s cornea transplant, which returned him his sight was carried out by Dr. Ken Nischal from England and Dr. Ramappa Muralidhar, an Indian surgeon.
The procedure was carried out at the LV Prasad Hospital in Hyderabad, southern India.
Dr. Nischal said: “Sagar’s case, though are, occurs with more frequency in the developing world. Bleeding behind the eyes in patients with leukemia often results in blindness.
“Sagar’s case was picked up by Ms Neetha and what followed was a tale of commitment and tenacity to ensure that Sagar did not lose his sight.”
Neetha said: “There is every reason to think that he can regain more vision, India is at the forefront of new and innovative vision enhancing techniques and many organisations globally are working on cures for blindness and using science to enable stem cell therapy and the advancement of the bionic eye.
“Sagar is only seven and so we still have time.”
Neetha has now started raising funds for the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus to make sure that no child faces the pain Sagar had to.
Sagar’s case complicated so much because his family couldn’t afford to pay $150 for initial tests and diagnostics.
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