Meet Eliza – A Young Girl Whose Life Changed Forever

Eliza was born in 2017 to a very poor family in one of the remote villages of Odisha. The village is located in the midst of a jungle with very poor means of commutation. Farming is the main source of income for the family. Like any other Indian family, Eliza’s parents thrived hard to give her and her elder sister a normal and happy childhood.

However, in 2020 darkness loomed into Eliza’s life. She was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma in her right eye and the doctors advised that the cancer has spread rapidly. In spite of multiple chemotherapy sessions and other necessary interventions, the doctors were not able to save her right eye.

Soon after she lost her right eye, the doctors advised her parents to continue bringing her to the hospital for regular check-ups. Regular examinations were also necessary to ensure that her left eye doesn’t get impacted as well. However, her parents did not have the money to pay regular visits to the hospital which required them to taken an overnight bus journey.

Eliza’s parents had already borrowed a lot of money from their neighbours for her surgery. Her father was forced to sell off his farm land to pay off his debts. Having lost their only source of income and with no money left for their younger daughter’s treatment, the family was overcome with sadness and worry. They feared for Eliza’s life.

Desperate to find help, Eliza’s parents approached a newspaper house for help. Seeing their appeal in the newspaper, LWB Foundation reached out to the family. With the support of our community members, we were able to help Eliza.

With our support and encouragement, Eliza’s family returned to the hospital to have the next eye evaluated.  The charitable trust portion of the hospital was kind enough to provide her medical care totally free of cost.  Unfortunately, the doctors found the cancer had spread to her left eye and it, too, had to be removed.

Now, nearly 1 year later, the doctors are encouraged that she is truly cancer free.  We are now working closely with the hospital and Eliza’s family to help her get prosthetic eyes.

Please join us in sharing your thoughts and prayers for this little girl as she sets off for another medical journey.