Here's something for those who feel that north-eastern people are being discriminated against in the city to chew over. As many as 150 runners from all over Mumbai pooled in their strength and resources, participating in a 10-km charity run in the city on Sunday, to raise around Rs 3 lakh to help a single-mother cancer patient, after 'Gorkha girl' Roshni Rai came out with an online plea.

In fact, the online plea was for finding donors for blood.

Jyotika Khati, 24, had come all the way from Darjeeling to Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel to get treated for blood cancer. Mother of a two-year-old girl, Jyotika separated from her husband one-and-a-half years back and has been living with her parents ever since.

“I wanted to die when I heard that she was suffering from blood cancer. We didn't know how to find resources for treatment. Some well-wishers then advised us to approach Tata hospital,” said Ritu Khati, Jyotika's mother, who is her bystander at the hospital.

Her cousin, Premika Khati, had left her nursing job to join her to Mumbai. Her father, a home guard with West Bengal police, is on three-month leave and has found a rental accommodation in a building near to the hospital.

“We had Rs 2 lakh for treatment but the cost of care was Rs 6 lakh. We had already spent Rs 80,000 on travel,” said Ritu Khati adding she feels like living a soap opera as 'miracles' have been happening ever since they landed in Mumbai in February.

It was through a well-wisher in Darjeeling that Jyotika got the contact details of Roshni Rai, who has been in Mumbai for the last 10 years. Roshni is an advocate and had participated in many marathons across the world. “She called me, and it was regarding blood donation. I was supposed to donate blood to her on that day but unfortunately got my periods. I put the request online and my runner friend Vivek Sagar came up with the idea that why not hold a charity run for her. In a week's time we organised it with the help of Gorkha Youth of Mumbai and Bhartiya Gorkha Ekta Samaj. I am overwhelmed with the support Mumbai gave us,” said Roshni.

“Only five out of 150 were from Darjeeling. Others had come from all over Mumbai and we managed to raise close to Rs 3 lakh. Many are still donating,” said an ecstatic Roshni.

Jyotika's blood report on Tuesday was encouraging. “She may get discharged in 15 days. It is very important that she stays in a hygienic place and we are looking for the same. She will be in the city for the next six months till she recovers fully,” said Premika, who wrote down what Jyotika had to say about the run.