Housewife Laise Sousa Carvalho, who chained herself to the gates of the General Hospital of Palmas (HGP) to charge for cardiac treatment for her 5-year-old son Kauan, has a health care routine for her two children in Paraíso do Tocantins. In addition to providing continuous assistance to Kauan, she accompanies her daughter Larissa, aged 10, undergoing treatment for leukemia with constant trips to the interior of São Paulo.
The routine with the girl requires periodic trips to Campinas (SP), where Larissa is monitored at the Boldrini Children's Center.
"She undergoes leukemia treatment in Campinas and continues to go to Boldrini Hospital every month. Every month we have to go: she undergoes tests, takes medication and, if everything goes well, returns home. Larissa's treatment will continue with these visits every month until 2028."
In Campinas, Larissa undergoes consultations, control exams and medication applications. One of the regular reviews.
The girl's routine includes weekly injectable chemotherapy and daily oral chemotherapy tablets with mercaptopurine (Purinethol). On weekends, Larissa takes preventive doses of Bactrim to boost her immunity.
The family lives in Paraíso do Tocantins, about 60 km from Palmas, and survives on Kauan's welfare benefits and the children's father's work as a bricklayer. The mother explains that sometimes this is not enough.
"When he needs to travel with Larissa, he doesn't earn money, because he earns it daily when he has work. It's very difficult for us and we lack basic things at home", reported Laise.
During trips to Campinas, the family usually stays in a support house, but needs to cover the costs of food and rides via app. During periods when Laise or her husband travel with the girl, Kauan is under the care of her maternal grandmother and other relatives.
The family also faced the impacts of the water crisis that hit Paraíso do Tocantins, even using donated gallons of water to ration Kauan's baths. According to the mother, the piped water supply has been restored to normal in the residence, but the family still uses mineral water for cooking.
"Larissa is undergoing chemotherapy and Kauan's health is very fragile. The water is whitish and contains a lot of chlorine, so we only use it for bathing", reported Laise.
Kauan feeds exclusively through an enteral tube, does not walk, does not speak and has breathing difficulties. He needs support and materials for daily food and hygiene. Laise reports that the costs of disposable inputs have weighed on the budget.
Kauan's story became known after his mother, in an attitude of desperation, chained herself to the HGP gate, asking for Kauan's transfer. After she protested in front of the health unit, the medical team issued a report that highlighted the urgency of the case.
At the time, the State Department of Health reported that the patient was monitored at the Municipal Hospital of Araguaína and that, after medical evaluations, it was indicated that Fontan surgery would be contraindicated in this case, due to the child's condition, which had compromised vascular access and clinical fragility.
On the afternoon of September 9, Laise left the HGP and chained himself in front of the Public Ministry of the State of Tocantins (MPTO).
On September 12, 2026, the State informed that the patient's transfer was approved, but a place at the São Paulo hospital would still be needed. The trip only took place at the end of September.
Kauan arrived in São Paulo on September 25, 2026. At the hospital, the boy underwent a cranial tomography, chest tomography and encephalogram. He also underwent catheterization on September 29th.
Doctors met in the first week of October to discuss whether Kauan would be able to undergo a surgical procedure. Soon after, Laise received the news that nothing could be done for her son.
"It's very difficult to start. This video, you know? The doctor just came by, they held the meeting and unfortunately there is nothing to do for Kauan. He has a lot of neurological problems, in his lungs, and nothing can be done for him", said the mother in a post on social media.
