VIJAYAWADA: In a display of collective compassion, people across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have united to save 11-month-old Jampala Mangala Punarvika, who is battling spinal muscular atrophy (SMA type-1), a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that affects muscle strength and movement.The first signs of trouble appeared when Punarvika was just five months old. Her parents noticed that she was unable to hold her neck upright, struggled to move her legs, and was not gaining weight like other children her age.

After extensive medical tests, doctors diagnosed her with SMA type-1 and advised immediate gene therapy treatment. The life-saving injection, however, costs nearly Rs 16 crore – beyond the scope of her father J Suresh Kumar’s modest income. The family lives in Veldurthi mandal in Kurnool district.

Devastated but determined, the family launched a fundraising campaign and appealed for help from people. They also met officials at the secretariat in Amaravati, urging the govt to extend financial assistance for their daughter’s treatment.What followed was extraordinary. The hashtag ‘#SavePunarvika’ went viral, turning into a statewide movement. Youth groups have been organising bicycle rallies in West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, ASR, Krishna, and Guntur districts. Schoolchildren have been contributing their pocket money and spreading awareness through videos. Auto drivers in Vijayawada have stepped forward with donations, declaring in solidarity, “We Too”.A youngster, Srinu, announced a 500-km bicycle journey from Samarlakota to raise funds for Punarvika. Many youth in small towns of Krishna and West Godavari districts conducted a special fundraising drive on Sunday.A tearful video of father Suresh Kumar pleading for his daughter’s life touched thousands online.“The love and support we are receiving gives us strength,” he said. “We hope the govt and generous donors will help us save our child and give her a chance to live.”