13-year-old Ishaan Anekar was among the first 40 children to finish a 3km sea swim competition at Malvan in Maharashtra.
Ishaan Anekar is a jovial, happy and dynamic teen who loves to do sports in the form of swimming, badminton or football. His recent achievement- that of completing a 3km open sea swim and 1km fins swim- has become noteworthy. But why so? To know that let’s turn back the clock to Ishaan’s childhood.
“When he was two and a half years old, he used to suffer from fever. His reports were normal, still he did not get rid of his fever. Then we did his urine test and in that it was found that there was protein loss. After that we consulted paediatric nephrologist, Dr Uma Ali, who diagnosed Alport Syndrome in him,” Said Anant Anekar, Ishaan’s father.
Alport Syndrome is a genetic kidney disorder that generally leads to kidney failure. “I made the parents aware that this is not something where I could add another medicine which will treat the disease. I explained the parents that between dialysis and transplant, transplant is a better option,” said Dr Uma Ali.
It was for Ishaan’s better future, his parents understood and agreed for kidney transplantation and it was Anant to became the donor. Throughout this process, Ishaan was patient proving his mettle time and again.
It has been three years since Ishaan Anekar had his transplantation. He is now a passionate swimmer who loves to swim.
Ishaan exclaimed, “While swimming I feel really really happy. After swimming I feel like, ahhh, this is good, this feels good.”
Trained under Arjuna awardee Aarti Pradhan and coach Narendra Pawar, Ishaan is a regular participant in the annual National Transplant Games organised by Narmada Kidney Foundation. This year he emerged as a multiple medal winner in different disciplines.
Now he has set his eyes on World Transplant Games scheduled to be held later this year in Germany. He wishes to take part in swimming and badminton as well.
A student of Hiranandani Foundation School in Thane, Ishaan is a strong-minded boy who has bravely faced the challenges of transplantation. With his powerful strokes he is spreading the message of positivity while cherishing the gift of life.
