Hamza was a 17-year-old college student when, in 2022, he began experiencing weakness in his legs and soon became unable to move them. He was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of cancer, after a tumour was discovered on his spine that had caused the loss of movement. Confined to a wheelchair, Hamza faced not only the battle against cancer but also the devastating prospect that he might never walk again.
At Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, a multi-disciplinary team developed his treatment plan. His treatment involved surgery, fourteen cycles of chemotherapy, and twenty-five sessions of radiation therapy. Alongside this, he underwent rigorous physiotherapy to fight the paralysis.
A turning point came after his fourth chemotherapy session, when he noticed he could wiggle one toe. The next milestone was moving his leg. He vividly remembers the emotional moment in the OPD, seated in his wheelchair, when his mother encouraged him to try lifting his leg. He did, and to their astonishment, it moved. It took another full year before he could stand and walk again unaided. With grit and consistency, Hamza fought to reclaim his mobility, step by determined step. From wheelchair to walker, then to a walking stick.
“Speaking about Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Hamza says: “The system in place is exceptional. It ensures that everyone gives their best and that patients feel truly heard. For instance, regular rounds by quality assurance staff make a significant difference.”
With grit and consistency, Hamza fought to reclaim his mobility, step by determined step. From wheelchair to walker, then to a walking stick.
Hamza has come incredibly far since those difficult days. He now regularly visits Shaukat Khanum Hospital to meet children undergoing treatment, offering them hope and encouragement. He often brings small gifts for them and treasures the handmade modelling-dough art they give him in return. He has also rekindled his love for painting, an activity that continues to bring him joy. After a two-year break from his studies, Hamza resumed his education in 2024, joining a college in Faisalabad. A year later, he moved to Lahore, where he is now pursuing a degree in textile design.