'Grateful For Every Moment': Indian-Origin Teen Is First Child In UK To Benefit From Life-Changing Cancer Treatment

Sixteen-year-old Yuvan Thakkar, a teenager of Indian-origin from Watford, who was diagnosed with cancer, was the first child in the UK to benefit from the pioneering CAR T therapy from the UK's state-funded National Health Service. Today, it's hard for him to imagine how things would have been if the treatment was not available.

Diagnosed with cancer at 6, and relapsed soon after

The CAR T therapy modifies a person’s immune cells to recognise and attack cancer cells.

Yuvan was first diagnosed with a form of leukaemia at age six.

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Various treatments followed, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

But after he relapsed, the CAR T Therapy was given to him in early 2019 at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) when he was 11 years old.

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Yuvan said: “My life has changed so much since I received the CAR T therapy.”

He recalls that many trips to the hospital were required, resulting in long periods out of school.?

“I am extremely grateful to GOSH for providing me with such incredible healthcare throughout my stay. They have helped me recover to a state where I am able to enjoy so many things I love doing, such as playing snooker or pool, meeting friends and family, and going on wonderful holidays. It’s hard to imagine how things would have been if the treatment wasn’t available,” Yuvan says.

Grateful for the chance & for every moment, says Yuvan’s mother

Yuvan’s mother, 45-year-old Sapna Thakkar, said, “It felt like our prayers were finally answered. We still feel so grateful for this chance that’s been given to us and not a single day passes by when we haven’t felt thankful for all the doctors and nurses that have helped us through this long and difficult journey.”

Sapna emphasised the crucial role of the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), explaining that without the fast-track access provided by the CDF, Yuvan may not have received life-saving treatment.

She also said that having the funds to treat people like Yuvan, who really need it, is literally a life saver.?

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It was soon realised that no matter how hard they tried, they would not have been able to fund his treatment on their own.?

During his treatment, they were only hoping that his suffering would reduce, and he would get to enjoy his childhood.?

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A lot has changed now, Yuvan is doing really well in school and enjoying time with family and friends.?

“We’re so grateful for every moment,” Sapna said.

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