Help break leprosy’s grip on lives like Aashika’s

When she was first diagnosed with leprosy, Aashika did everything right. To be cured, she faithfully committed to TWO YEARS of Multi Drug Therapy, twice the usual time, because her level of leprosy bacteria was so high. She is cured, yet a remnant of dead bacteria still torments her.

Twice now, her body has reacted violently, in sustained Type 2 Lepra Reaction, a deeply painful medical complication. It leaves Aashika in excruciating pain, fever and inflammation.

18-year-old Aashika feels heartbroken over lumps, nodules and marks all over her face. She cannot bear to be seen. Because of her appearance and because of the sheer pain of walking, she has completely withdrawn from friends, school and life.

She could no longer help with chores because it was too painful to swing an axe, hold a pen, or even walk to school.

Without urgent help, Aashika could face this for the rest of her life, risking permanent disabilities caused by overwhelming inflammation.

Her grandmother knew that her beloved grandchild needed urgent medical care. She needed Leprosy Mission’s Anandaban Hospital, the haven you support near Kathmandu.

Today, you can break leprosy’s grip on young lives like Aashika’s.

Your gift can find those affected, cure them, give them the care they desperately need, and set them free from the torture of lepra reaction. 

Please join us in ridding the world of leprosy and lepra reaction. 

• Your gift of $25 can provide hospital care for those who cannot afford it for themselves.
• Your gift of $55 can help find and cure people of leprosy through MDT.

• Your gift of $110 can help the many people who suffer lepra reaction, through emerging medication for greater relief with fewer side effects.
• Your gift of $500 can help purchase the land on which a new Research Centre will be built, so world leaders in leprosy research can end intense inflammatory anguish like Ashika’s, forever.

You can also donate via Online Banking:

Bank: Bank of New Zealand 
Account Name: Leprosy Mission New Zealand
Account Number: 02 0264 0029018 05 
Particulars: 'Your name'
Reference: 'Supporter number (if known) or 'your phone number'
Code: MAP2026