Sumit Kumar Gupta

About Me

Hello, my name is Sumit Gupta, and I am a 17-year-old KCK (KidsCan Konnect) member from Varanasi. I want to share my journey with you.

I come from a humble background. My father runs a vegetable shop, and my mother is a homemaker. Despite our limited means, my parents always supported my dreams.

When I was six years old, I started experiencing severe stomach pain. After undergoing tests, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). The treatment lasted for nine months, and I was eventually cured, resuming life like a normal child. I dreamed of becoming a cricketer and, at the age of 11, joined a cricket academy to pursue my passion.

However, life took an unexpected turn. I developed a fever and a skin infection, which was initially thought to be minor. But the symptoms persisted, and after several tests, I was diagnosed with malaria. Despite the treatment, my condition worsened, and I experienced recurring bouts of fever, exhaustion, and infections.

My family sought treatment at BHU and later in Mumbai, where a CT scan revealed abnormal glands in multiple organs. Doctors suspected TB or cancer. After multiple tests, including a biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The diagnosis was devastating, but my mother never gave up hope. She encouraged me to stay positive, believing I would recover and return to cricket.

Treatment was challenging. I underwent six chemotherapy cycles, each bringing side effects like hair loss, extreme fatigue, and pain. Despite these hurdles, I stayed active, playing badminton with my mother, practicing yoga, and maintaining a positive mindset.

CanKids provided immense support during this time. Their counseling team answered my questions and helped me cope emotionally. They created a nurturing environment where I never felt alone. My treatment, initially estimated to last 6–8 months, was completed in just three months. By January 2019, I was cancer-free.

Rebuilding my cricket career was tough. My body had weakened, and it took a year to regain my strength. In 2021, I resumed playing cricket and reached the top 60 players under 14 in my state trials. Despite setbacks, including false accusations about my medical reports and injuries, I persevered. I trained hard, improved my skills, and achieved milestones like bowling at 133 kmph.

My passion for cricket motivated me to shift to my grandmother's place in Mumbai, where I could access better training facilities. To further my career, I participated in Under-19 trials. Although I couldn’t play in my first year due to residency rules, I remain determined to represent India in cricket. Alongside cricket, I excelled in sports like football, athletics, and badminton, winning three gold medals at the Nabhangan Sports Fest.

My journey has been filled with challenges, but I’ve learned to face them with resilience and hope. I am grateful to my family, CanKids, and my coaches for their unwavering support. With the same energy and passion, I will continue working toward my dream of playing cricket for India.

Appeal

Did you know that if a child has cancer in a high income country, their chances of survival are 80%. But in India, it is 35%. But it doesn't have to be that way. Founded in 2004 by Poonam Bagai, herself a cancer survivor, CanKidsKidsCan - The National Society For Change For Childhood Cancer In India aims to change that.

CanKids partners with hospitals, medical professionals, and state governments to move India towards 100% access2care & higher survival rates for children with cancer. They enable best standards of treatment, care and support across 141 partner centers in 53 cities and 22 states of India. Catering to primarily underprivileged families, CanKids serves the underserved, ensuring avoidance of financial hardship.

CanKids increases survival rates by driving early detection, diagnosis & referral & partnering with the government and stakeholders to pioneer online support and care reaching remote corners of India.

Your donation goes towards medical treatment, blood work, nutrition, counseling, education of a child with cancer. Together we can bring light into dark and shine the way for more children with cancer to #surviveandthrive.

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