The corridors and classrooms of the Government College at Nadapuram, Kozhikode, miss the laughter of Shilna Ramesh, a student who excelled in both arts and academics. The third-year BSc Physics student was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer and has been admitted in a hospital. Shilna had regularly attended her classes until her disease was diagnosed.
It was in May that she visited the Malabar Medical Centre at Ulliyeri with severe stomach pain and vomiting. However, she was immediately transferred to the Baby Memorial hospital for an emergency surgery. After an appendix surgery Shilna was diagnosed with a rare cancer called the ‘Ewing’s sarcoma’, which grows in bones or the soft tissue around the bones, such as cartilage or the nerves.
Shilna’s family had already spent Rs 7 lakh for her treatment and requires further extensive treatment for 16 more weeks. The chemotherapy alone would cost Rs 5 lakh and the thoracic surgery another Rs 4 lakh. The hospital authority said that at least Rs 11 lakh is required for the entire course of treatment and this is beyond Shilna’s family could afford.
Shilna’s father Ramesan was a taxi driver, but later worked as a goldsmith abroad. Ramesan left his job there and returned as he had many health problems. Shilna’s classmates are trying to raise some money by appealing through social media. The people in the locality too are trying to help the family.
Shilna aims to secure admission for M Sc Physics. College principal Dr M Jyothiraj says he is confident that Shilna would be able to pursue her dreams as she is an excellent student.
The family’s only hope is Dr Durga Prasad’s words that Shilna could be cured if special treatment is made available. Ewing’s sarcoma has a high rate of successful cure.
Onmanorama readers too could offer help to bring back Shilna into her normal life.
Account details:
Name : Shilna Ramesh
Account Number: 8080811041208
IFS Code: YESB0CMSNOC
For UPI payment: givetoshilna@yesbankltd
(You can send money to this ID using BHIM, PhonePe or any UPI app)
