Haematology Department at American Oncology Institute (AOI) Nagpur raise funds and successfully treats 7-year-old with blood cancer

Nagpur, June 5, 2023: A seven-year-old female child Dipali Sathe (name changed) of Baitul, Madhya Pradesh got a new lease of life after being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). It’s a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. ALL is the most common childhood cancer. It occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA. The patient was treated at American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Nangia Specialty Hospital, Nagpur. 

Baby Dipali was diagnosed with blood cancer and required immediate and intensive medical intervention. Recognizing the urgency of the situation and financial constraints of the family, Dr Shailesh Bamborde, Hemato-oncologist and BMT Specialist along with the staff of AOI embarked on a fundraising campaign to ensure that the child received the best possible treatment.  

Considering her critical condition and in consultation with her family, Dr Shailesh Bamborde recommended Chemoimmunotherapy. It is a breakthrough in cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer cells while minimizing the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. This approach involves the use of immune-boosting drugs in combination with chemotherapy drugs, targeting and destroying cancer cells more effectively. 

Dr Shailesh Bombarde, BMT Specialist at AOI Nagpur said, “In a child with ALL, Leukemia cells do not work like normal lymphocytes and are not able to fight infection very well. As the number of leukemia cells increases in the blood and bone marrow, there is less room for healthy white and red blood cells, and platelets. This may lead to infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. 

The successful outcome of this case highlights the significant strides being made in the field of cancer care, particularly in the domain of paediatric oncology. We at AOI are committed to delivering advanced and personalized cancer treatments to patients of all ages, with a focus on improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life.” 

The fundraising efforts were met with an overwhelming response from the staff of American Oncology Institute (AOI). Their collective support and generous contributions enabled to raise the necessary funds to cover the cost of chemoimmunotherapy and the daily needs of the patient. The patient underwent a comprehensive treatment plan for 6 months. Throughout the treatment journey, the child and their family received exceptional care and support from the compassionate healthcare team at AOI Nagpur. Baby Dipali has resumed her school and leads a cancer-free life.  

Dr Amit Dhawan, Regional COO, American Oncology Institute, Nagpur, expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the staff of AOI Nagpur and the doctors who contributed to this noble cause. Their generosity has enabled us to provide state-of-the-art treatment to this young patient and improve their chances of a successful recovery. We are committed to offering best-in-class clinical expertise, technological superiority, and service excellence for our patients." 

American Oncology Institute at Nangia Specialty Hospital is one of the comprehensive cancer units in Nagpur with a multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists, providing all the modalities of medical oncology, hemato-oncology, radiation oncology, and cancer surgeries under one roof based on the international treatment guidelines in cancer care. The state-of-the-art BMT and Hematology Unit caters to patients with complex blood disorders and blood cancers which include all kinds of anemia, marrow failure syndromes, coagulation disorders, acute and chronic leukemia, myelomas, and lymphomas (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s), thalassemia etc.