Sayem M., 1

Sayem Mia is a one-month-old baby boy who has already shown great strength, surviving serious complications after birth, a 13-day NICU stay, and neonatal jaundice. He lives with his parents, 12-year-old sister Jannatul Maowa, and grandfather Jahir Sayal, while his father, Abdus Salam, is the only earning member, making just BDT 7,000 per month as an autorickshaw puller, leaving the family unable to afford further specialized care. After learning about Helpster Charity through Nasima Akhter and volunteer Md. Al Amin, his parents sought urgent assistance when Sayem was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in both eyes. Without timely Anti-VEGF treatment and regular retinal follow-up, the abnormal blood vessels may progress, causing retinal detachment and irreversible permanent blindness. Timely support could protect Sayem’s eyesight and give him the chance to grow up seeing his parents, grandfather, and elder sister and experience the bright future his family dreams of.

According to the doctors, Anti-VEGF (Avastin) injections in both eyes followed by regular retinal examinations are urgently required to control the abnormal blood vessel growth and support proper retinal development. With timely treatment, Sayem has a good chance of preserving functional vision and growing up with normal eyesight. If treatment is delayed or not provided, the abnormal blood vessels may progress rapidly and cause irreversible retinal damage and permanent blindness. Early treatment therefore provides the best opportunity to protect his vision and future independence.