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Amitabh Bachchan decides to donate money to help procure ₹16 cr injection for 17-month-old suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy

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Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has announced that he would make a monetary contribution for procuring a very expensive injection for a child suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare disease that affects a child’s central nervous system.

The Kaun Banega Crorepati host made the announcement when filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan came to his show and championed the cause. Farah had announced that whatever money she earns on KBC would go towards helping the child.

In a new promo video shared by Sony Entertainment Television on their Instagram handle, Amitabh can be heard saying in Hindi, “Ladies and gentlemen, Farah is playing for a 17-month-old child named Ayaansh, who is suffering from an illness.” The video then cut to showing Ayaansh and his mother, who explained that she noticed the baby wasn’t able to move his limbs much even after turning seven months old. After having him examined family found out that he was suffering from SMA.

A tearful Farah said, “By the time Ayaansh turns two, there’s a medicine called Zolgensma, which is the world’s most expensive injection. It costs ₹16 crore. And it could save his life. We want to save this child, sir.”

To which Amitabh replied, “I don’t know if I should say this, but Farah, I would like to contribute personally as well. I will tell you the amount later, I don’t want to discuss it here.” Farah expressed her gratitude by joining her hands. “Sir, so grateful to you,” she said.

Amitabh also urged the viewers to come forward and help as well. Farah Khan was on the show alongside Deepika Padukone. Celebrity guests on the show mostly play for a cause of their choice.

Earlier a toddler from Nasik won the ‘miracle drug’, free of cost, in a lottery. Swiss drug manufacturer Novartis received approval from US regulatory for Zolgensma last year. The company said Zolgensma was a one-time treatment for SMA, a disease that affects about 1 in 10,000 births.