Dr Puneet Kumar, India

A young child with a known case of brain tumor came to our department for radiation treatment. His story left a lasting impact on all of us. The child’s mother was pregnant and unable to accompany him, but his father, despite the demands of his job, managed to bring him for daily treatments. This meant that he also had to be present to oversee his son’s short anesthesia sessions before each radiation session.
From the very beginning, our entire team formed a deep emotional bond with this brave little boy. His favorite superhero was Spider-Man, so we decided to bring a touch of joy to his challenging days by creating a special Spider-Man mask for him to wear during his treatments. It was a small gesture, but it brought a smile to his face and gave him a sense of strength and courage as he bravely faced each radiation session.
The course of treatment itself was uneventful, thanks to the dedicated efforts of everyone involved. However, a few months later, the boy’s condition worsened, and he had to be admitted to a nearby hospital. Sadly, despite all efforts, he couldn’t survive. The loss of such a young life was devastating for us all, and we couldn’t even begin to fathom the depth of his parents’ grief.
In the midst of this heartbreaking time, there was a glimmer of hope: his mother, who had been carrying his sibling, gave birth to a baby boy. While the loss of the older child was an unimaginable tragedy, the arrival of his little brother offered a bittersweet moment of joy for the family.
We remain deeply moved by this child's journey and the strength shown by his family. Their resilience and the connections made during his treatment will never be forgotten by our team.