Debdulal, India

Debdulal Chakraborty, from Bankura, West Bengal, was struck with a devastating diagnosis in January 2019: lung cancer. The once-familiar symptoms of cough, breathlessness, and fever turned into a nightmare. Despite numerous tests, the local doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause. It wasn’t until a CT scan revealed a tumor in his right lung that the truth dawned upon him.

“It was like a bolt of lightning,” Debdulal recalls. “I was terrified. What would happen to my family? How would I provide for them?”

The news was a cruel blow. Debdulal, the sole breadwinner for his young family, faced an uncertain future. Fear gnawed at him as he thought of his wife and children. Yet, he knew he couldn’t give up. With the support of his loved ones, he sought help at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

There, a series of tests confirmed his worst fears: he had ALK+ lung cancer. The doctors prescribed Crizotinib, a medication that came with a hefty price tag. For a middle-class man like Debdulal, the cost was a mountain he feared he couldn’t climb.

“The medication was expensive, but I knew it was my only hope,” Debdulal says. “I was determined to do whatever it took to get it.”

The pandemic further complicated his journey. Lockdowns made it difficult to access his life-saving medication. But Debdulal found solace in Lung Connect India Foundation, a support group that provided not just medicines but also emotional support.

“Lung Connect India Foundation has been a lifeline for me,” Debdulal says. “The support and encouragement from other patients have helped me stay strong.”

Debdulal hopes to inspire others battling lung cancer and advocate for more accessible life-saving medications. He also seeks support from those who want to contribute to managing the cost of this treatment.

“I want to make a difference,” Debdulal says. “If my story can help even one person, then it’s worth it.”