Kumar* lives in a village more than 60 kms from Vellore. He is a daily wage laborer, living with his wife and three children. In 2017 he developed fever with multiple painful swelling and patches on his hands. He came to CMC to see a doctor. He was shattered when the doctors diagnosed him with Hansen’s disease or leprosy. He was worried about the stigma associated with the diagnosis. “Will I ever get better? If something happens to me, how will my family survive?”
Kumar’s wife was his biggest emotional support. She encouraged him to start treatment as the doctors explained that leprosy is completely curable. If treated immediately, he would not have any deformity or disability. CMC subsidised most of his treatment costs. Encouraged by this, Kumar never missed an appointment. Now, five years later, he is completely free of the disease and participates in all their village activities.
In 1948, Dr. Paul Brand performed the world’s first reconstructive surgery for leprosy at CMC. We continue his legacy of healing and combating stigma for the poorest of our patients.
Kumar’s treatment was made possible by friends like you. Your contribution will bridge the gap for patients who need it the most. Please support the Person to Person programme (PTP) for economically disadvantaged patients.
From today we are participating in the 60-day GiveIndia Fundraising Challenge 2022. Your donation to PTP (click on this link) gets amplified by GiveIndia rewards. Our dream is to help 500 patients by raising ₹30 lakhs before 30th March 2022. Contribute today, share this link with your friends and create an impact. https://fundraisers.giveindia.org/fundraisers/cmc-vellore-ptp
*Name changed and photo used with consent
Story and details provided by the Department of Dermatology
