Last spring, 10-year-old Meher Shukla was preparing for school break, talking about trips, reading Harry Potter (her favorite pastime) and working toward her black belt in taekwondo. She was active, energetic and full of personality.
Then one day, she felt something near her belly button. “Mom, can you feel this?” she asked.
At first, her mother, Hiral, thought it might be something simple. But Meher was persistent. When Hiral felt a solid lump moving in her daughter’s abdomen, she and her husband knew they needed answers.
A Shocking Diagnosis for Meher and her Family
After an ultrasound and a trip to the emergency room at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, doctors discovered a mass in Meher’s pelvic area. The initial hope was that it was a benign teratoma that could be removed through a minimally invasive surgery.
But on May 2, 2025, a day well known to Meher as “National Harry Potter Day,” everything changed. A surgery expected to take about an hour lasted much longer. The tumor was far larger than expected, and doctors quickly realized it was not what they originally thought.
A biopsy later confirmed the diagnosis: stage 3 ovarian dysgerminoma, a rare cancer in children.
Treatment and Support from Jersey Shore University Medical Center
For Hiral and her husband, Chirag, the words were devastating. But from the very beginning, Meher’s care team at Hackensack Meridian Health helped the family feel supported, informed and never alone.
“The doctors, nurses and staff were excellent,” Hiral said. “They didn’t just care for Meher, but they cared about us as the parents. They answered our questions, put us at ease and were always there.”
Meher underwent four rounds of inpatient chemotherapy, followed by surgery and ongoing follow-up care. Through it all, the team at Hackensack Meridian Health, including Victoriya Staab, M.D., Andrew Silverman, M.D., Jessica Scerbo, M.D., nurses at the Dr. Robert H. and Mary Ellen Harris HOPE Tower and the oncology team, became part of the family’s healing journey.
Staying Upbeat Through Difficult Treatments
Even during the hardest moments, Meher found ways to stay brave.
A devoted Harry Potter fan, she drew strength from Hermione Granger, her favorite character. Meher’s mother filled the hospital room with prayers, hymns and positive music during chemotherapy, believing that love and faith could surround each treatment with healing energy.
When Meher began losing her hair, Hiral cried. Meher smiled. “Mom, relax,” she said. “I’m going to get chemo curls.”
Today, she has a full head of curly hair and wears it proudly.
When she returned to school without covering her head, Hiral asked if she was nervous. Meher’s answer was pure courage: “This is who I am. If someone stares, I’ll smile and ask if they have a question, because I have the answer.”
Tackle Kids Cancer’s Contribution During a Tough Time
Support from Tackle Kids Cancer gave Meher another unforgettable experience: filming commercials with Eli Manning, including one tied to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. To Meher, it felt like becoming a celebrity.
She even used the moment to announce on national television that she wanted a puppy for Christmas (her parents are still deciding).
Meher is back in school, looking forward to summer camps and dreaming of visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. She also hopes to one day become a hematologist or surgeon, inspired by the doctors who cared for her.
The name “Meher,” which comes primarily from Persian descent and carries cross-cultural roots throughout South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, means “blessing.” And through her courage, humor and hope, Meher is living up to it.
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