Five-year-old cancer survivor needs a heart to live

Jayneel Vasaikar at Fortis Hospital, Mulund

A five-year-old boy's battle with life started two years back, when he was diagnosed with cancer. He beat the disease a year later, but another tragedy struck him. During the course of treatment for cancer, he developed dilated cardiomyopathy - a disease affecting the heart muscles that could lead to its failure. Now, his survival solely depends on a heart transplant. Doctors treating Jayneel Manglesh Vasaikar at Fortis hospital in Mulund said his condition is critical, as his heart is functioning at only 5-10 per cent instead of at least 60-65 per cent. He is currently on ventilator support. Jayneel, whose blood type is O+, needs a heart from a donor who is brain dead.

Cancer diagnosis in 2019
Jayneel's father, Constable Manglesh Vasaikar from Nandurbar, told mid-day, "My son was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer on November 15, 2019, and we admitted him to a local hospital in Dhule. Doctor there advised us to admit him to Fortis hospital, so we brought him here in November last year. Doctors detected an eight-centimetre lump which was removed after chemotherapy. However, the radiation affected his heart."

"My son needs O+ heart and we are spreading information on social media and other platforms, and even taking the help of NGOs. My son's name is on top of the global waiting list." Manglesh, his wife Jayshree Vasaikar and two-year-old son Ashish Vasaikar have been living in a rented flat at Ambernath for the past four months. "I am waiting for a miracle," Manglesh said.

Dr Swati Garekar, senior consultant, Paediatric Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, "The child is in critical condition. Jayneel is on maximum support, including mechanical circulatory support, for the past one month. He needs a heart transplant. We are trying our best so that he gets a suitable heart as soon as possible."

O+
Blood type of the child