No love is greater than that of a Father for his Son’- Dan Brown.

The saying holds absolutely true for Shibaji Mandal and his son Ujaas. After losing his son to leukemia In June 2014, Mandal started a foundation- Ujaas Foundation, in his memory aimed to provide support to parents and care- givers with children fighting the same disease.

Born in September 2008, Ujaas was diagnosed with leukemia at the age two and half years. During the final stages of chemotherapy, his cancer relapsed leaving a bone marrow transplant as the only option for treatment.

On receiving an estimate of approximately 51 Lakh for his son’s surgery, Mandal, who was working with a private firm in Ranchi, decided to launch a fund raiser and Ujaas’ medical documents and family details were set up on a crowd funding platform -- Milaap. The appeal brought together a global community of more than 300 donors but unfortunately before the transplant, Ujaas succumbed to the disease in June 2014 after a prolonged battle of over three years.

“We tried getting him treated at the best hospitals in the country but he picked up an infection which could not be cured since he had low immunity. Once the crowd funding campaign was launched, in a short span, a lot of people from all over the world came forward to help us,” remarked a nostalgic Mandal.

On losing his son to leukemia, Mandal decided to start a foundation- Ujaas Foundation (UJF) with the surplus funds aiming to save the lives of many children and ensuring that the line of treatment is well understood and executed by the parents in that order. In just a little over years, UJF has helped over hundred children and their families.

“Being a healthcare professional, I was involved in counseling many other parents and mobilizing relevant information regarding leukemia. In leukemia a small mistake can cause the life of the child.  My role is to ensure that people should not make any mistake because they are already so stressed with the child’s health,” said Mandal.

UJF apart from helping parents, manage their fears, also gives them access to reading materials and up to date information. Since cancer treatment is expensive, UJF focuses on supporting and mobilising funds ensuring continuity of medication and chemotherapy.

“I always feel that my son came in this world for a purpose which was to enlighten so many lives. He made me his medium and has given me a higher purpose in life,” added Mandal.

Mandal is also in the process of writing a book for care- givers and parents with a child suffering from leukemia. The book is in the final stages of completion and will soon hit the market in the coming months. “It’s the first of its kind in Indian context. Apart from sharing my personal experience, the book also includes feedback from relevant experts in the field of pediatric oncology, nutrition, psychiatry and psychology. The purpose of writing this book is that I want as many to people to benefit from my learning as possible,” said Mandal.