Crowdfunding helps save toddler’s life. Click to know why
Hridayansh Sharma, the 22-month-old boy who received a life-saving injection after a community effort.
In a heartwarming tale from Rajasthan, people from all walks of life rallied together for a common cause: to save the life of 22-month-old Hridayansh Sharma. Hridayansh, son of Rajasthan Police Sub-Inspector Naresh Sharma, suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder causing severe muscle weakness. The cure? A single-dose gene therapy injection named Zolgensma is priced at a staggering ₹17.5 crore.
When Hridayansh was 20 months old, the Rajasthan Police initiated a crowdfunding campaign with a strict deadline. They raced against time because Zolgensma can only be administered to children under 2 years old. The campaign gained momentum with support pouring in from unexpected quarters. Cricketer Deepak Chahar and actor Sonu Sood lent their voices on social media, igniting a wave of compassion. From fruit sellers to shopkeepers, everyone pitched in, transcending barriers of status and occupation.
This grassroots effort marked the first large-scale crowdfunding endeavour in Rajasthan. In under three months, ₹9 crore was amassed, enabling Hridayansh to receive the life-saving injection at Jaipur’s JK Lone Hospital. The remaining funds must be collected within a year, in three installments.
Spinal muscular atrophy robs individuals of muscle control due to nerve cell loss in the spinal cord and brainstem. This leads to muscular weakness, impacting limb movement and even breathing.
In this remarkable saga, the power of community, compassion, and collective action shines through, proving that when hearts unite, miracles can happen.
