South Jersey Mom Seeks Help For Her Son On Life Support

A South Jersey mother fighting for the life of her 14-year-old son who is on life support at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is asking the public for help in her struggle.

“I am a single mom, my only child, my son Areen, had severe brain injury due to a house fire and has been in hospital in deep coma,” Rums Bandhyopadhayay wrote on the SaveAreen GoFundMe page. “I know my son is alive and will come back to me, he just needs some time to recover from the trauma.”

As of Monday morning, the page had raised $945 toward its $1,000 goal. Areen Chakrabarti has been on life support at CHOP since April 15, the day after a fire broke out at the family’s Bordentown home in Burlington County.

Chakrabarti, who is autistic, ran into the home because he was confused by the situation. He suffered from mass smoke inhalation, and was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. From there, he was transferred to CHOP, where an initial evaluation determined he was "likely brain dead."

Under CHOP regulations, a second test is conducted within 48 hours. If the same result comes through, the patient is deemed to be deceased. In this case, Charkrabati's family asked for the second test to be delayed, and CHOP agreed.

However, last week the hospital decided it had waited long enough and attempted to take Chakrabarti off life support, but his mother took them to court.

Following a hearing last week, the judge in the case ruled that it would be transferred to the Orphan's Court Division from the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, and the case will continue. Her son remains on life support, for now.

The campaign has received donations from 29 people since it launched on Saturday. To contribute to the campaign, visit gofundme.com.

See related: South Jersey Mom Gets To Maintain Life Support For Son For Now

The attached image was posted on the SaveAreen GoFundMe page.