I grew up in a motorcycle family. Each of my six brothers had one; my father always had one, since he was a young man, and my uncle has owned and operated Hogan’s Cycle Shop in Agawam, Massachusetts for over 71 years. Motorcycles were a way of life in my household, and I even rode them at one point.
But we always knew they could be dangerous. Two of my brothers were in serious accidents that left lingering injuries.
Imagine having to use a motorcycle when you have hemophilia in a developing country. It’s a common and cheaper way to get around, especially when there are massive traffic jams in megacities like Delhi and Karachi. Helmets often are not required, and traffic can be gnarly—and dangerous.
We recently funded surgery for a twenty-one-year old with hemophilia B from India. The Siliguri Hemophilia Society, a chapter in India, requested help for Dwip Biswas, from Alipurdwar, West Bengal. On June 17 he suffered a road accident and sustained multiple traumatic injuries including a shattered femur bone, facial fractures, a nasal bone fracture and brain hemorrhage. He was admitted to Anandaloke Multispeciality Hospital, Siliguri, West Bengal. Dwip required multidisciplinary management involving orthopedics, neurosurgery, maxillofacial Surgery, and hematology, due to the complexity of injuries and the underlying bleeding disorder.
The treatment center estimated $5,500 for his surgery and further management. Dwip belongs to a very poor family. He’s in his second year of studies at school. His father is a vegetable farmer, his mother is a housewife and he has a married sister. It was impossible for his family to arrange such a huge amount. Sujata Minda, Secretary of the Siliguri Hemophilia Society, made a request to us, and we gladly helped. The Chennai Hemophilia Chapter helped arrange clotting factor.
Despite all his serious injuries, Dwip pulled through. Thanks to his medical team, and the Siliguri and Chennai chapters for their support. And thank to all of you, our readers. By checking our blog, and accepting our e-newsletter and ads, you indirectly support all our efforts to help those in need of surgery overseas.
