An act of kindness: Goan family helps treat maid’s son who has cancer

Umesh Megeri’s mother had been working as maid at the house of Maria Augusta since the last 23 years. When Megeri spoke to them about his disease and the cost of the treatment, which he was not able to afford; the Augusta family decided to help him, without a second thought

A family from Goa showed rare generosity by offering all the help and support required to treat their maid’s son who was suffering from cancer, which was at an advanced stage. He was undergoing treatment in Pune.

Due to the benevolence shown by the Augusta family, Umesh Megeri, a 22-year-old boy is back to his daily routine now. After being treated for two years straight and after his follow-up last month, doctors at Ruby Hall Clinic have declared him cancer free. He is finally cured from this dreadful disease.

Megeri was suffering from a type of head and neck cancer called carcinoma-nasopharynx when he was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in 2015.

Doctors at Goa Medical College had asked the patients relatives to take him to another hospital considering the advanced stage of his cancer.

Megeri’s mother has been working as maid at the house of Maria Augusta since the last 23 years. When Megeri spoke to them about his disease and the cost of the treatment, which he was not able to afford; the Augusta family decided to help him.

Maria Augusta, who is resident of Goa and works as government employee, said, “He informed my son first about his condition. We took him to Government Medical College in Goa. But they asked us to go to another hospital as his cancer was at advanced stage. We then took him to Pune for treatment.”

The treatment cost around 5 lakh rupees. The Augusta’s not only paid for the operation but they also accompanied to Pune along with him for his treatment.

Megeri had an intensely enhancing mass in his nasal cavity and it had even gone into his eye because of which one of his eyeballs had almost come out. He was given treatment of radiation and chemotherapy for almost six months.

“Our family’s association with Megeri is more than two decades old now. Our entire family was disturbed when we came to know that he is suffering from cancer. We just wanted him to become cancer free and we helped him do that,” added Augusta.

Dr Minish Jain, Senior Oncologist from Ruby Hall Clinic said, “This was a unique case for me. The cancer was at advanced stage when they approached us. In spite of informing about all the uncertainties post treatment, the Augusta family showed decided to go ahead with the treatment. Whether it was for the treatment or follow-ups, a person from the family always came along with the patient. There are many cancer patients that we see on a daily basis, but such a gesture of kindness is very rare to see.”

Megeri said, “I am lucky that I got timely help. When life is tough on you, it also sends good people into your life to help you through it. I am very thankful for the help that the Augusta family provided and the doctors who treated me well.”