On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Karunya Nilayam, the organizers thought of starting a special Treatment Assistance Project for the benefit of young cancer patients from financially backward families. As a result, “Light of Life” was launched, to offer free cancer treatment to poor juvenile cancer patients. This will benefit poor children up to 15 years of age affected by cancer who have more than 50% chance to get cured. Now under this project, children from different parts of Kerala are undergoing treatment at the R.C.C, Trivandrum. We are trying our best to increase the number of beneficiaries according to the availability of funds. We express our sincere gratitude to all the donors, especially to those who are sponsoring children. Now we are helping the Student Cancer Patients at Kottayam Medical College also. Conditions are the same as those in R.C.C.This project is overseen by His Holiness the Catholicos of the East and His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios. A 51 member Director Board give leadership to the special project:-
INAUGURAL ADDRESS AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE SPECIAL CANCER CARE PROJECT OF
29-07-2005: Kottayam Mitigating the Pain of the Poor
I am delighted to participate in the launching of the Special Cancer Care Project for Children by Karunya Nilayam. My respect
s to His Holiness Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II and His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanious. My greetings to the organizers and inmates of Karunya Nilayam and other distinguished guests. I am very happy to note that the Karunya Nilayam is in a very important mission of providing logistics support such as mid-day meals, medicine and accommodation to the patients undergoing treatment in the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. To this gathering I would like to share some of the incidents which took place during one of my recent visit.
I am delighted to participate in the launching of the Special Cancer Care Project for Children by Karunya Nilayam. My respect
s to His Holiness Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II and His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanious. My greetings to the organizers and inmates of Karunya Nilayam and other distinguished guests. I am very happy to note that the Karunya Nilayam is in a very important mission of providing logistics support such as mid-day meals, medicine and accommodation to the patients undergoing treatment in the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. To this gathering I would like to share some of the incidents which took place during one of my recent visit.Experience with six year old child
Sometime back, I met one gentleman whose 6-year-old grand child was on periodic blood transfusion for Thallesemia. The permanent solution, doctors told me was a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow of the child was not matching even between siblings and the parents. Unmatched bone marrow transplant is not done in India,
I was told, and even in the West it is undertaken only in experimental situations. I met the child who was unaware of the time bomb that was ticking inside him. I prayed for him, for that was the only thing I could do. Today, standing before this gathering, I think I must share with you my concern for these patients who live under the shadow of uncertain life. What can we do to strengthen the doctors? capabilities in such a situation? Research on stem cell holds great promise. May be clinicians getting involved in this research will lead to breakthrough. We have a shortage of Bone Marrow Transplant facilities. Then there are emotional issues. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, in addition to the treatment, psychological support is needed in a big way. This support should be in the form of counseling and spiritual strengthening. Patient should be advised not to despair and retreat from the normal life. Courage to carry on with the life should be reinforced by persons living around. It is seen that properly supported by their families and friends, many cancer patients have discovered their inner selves while valiantly facing onslaught of the disease.
10th Anniversary Mission for Karunya Nilayam
The treatment for cancer is prolonged and expensive. A common man in the rural area may not be able to sustain the financial burden. In that respect I am very happy to find that Karunya Nilayam is providing free medicines, free noon meals and free accommodation to large number of patients. This is a very important societal mission. The initiation of screening of children in the rural areas and providing total treatment for over hundred cancer affected children by the Karunya Nilayam as the 10th anniversary programme indeed adds importance to the mission of this institution.
Towards a quality life
Sometime back, I met one gentleman whose 6-year-old grand child was on periodic blood transfusion for Thallesemia. The permanent solution, doctors told me was a bone marrow transplant. The bone marrow of the child was not matching even between siblings and the parents. Unmatched bone marrow transplant is not done in India,
I was told, and even in the West it is undertaken only in experimental situations. I met the child who was unaware of the time bomb that was ticking inside him. I prayed for him, for that was the only thing I could do. Today, standing before this gathering, I think I must share with you my concern for these patients who live under the shadow of uncertain life. What can we do to strengthen the doctors? capabilities in such a situation? Research on stem cell holds great promise. May be clinicians getting involved in this research will lead to breakthrough. We have a shortage of Bone Marrow Transplant facilities. Then there are emotional issues. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, in addition to the treatment, psychological support is needed in a big way. This support should be in the form of counseling and spiritual strengthening. Patient should be advised not to despair and retreat from the normal life. Courage to carry on with the life should be reinforced by persons living around. It is seen that properly supported by their families and friends, many cancer patients have discovered their inner selves while valiantly facing onslaught of the disease.10th Anniversary Mission for Karunya Nilayam
The treatment for cancer is prolonged and expensive. A common man in the rural area may not be able to sustain the financial burden. In that respect I am very happy to find that Karunya Nilayam is providing free medicines, free noon meals and free accommodation to large number of patients. This is a very important societal mission. The initiation of screening of children in the rural areas and providing total treatment for over hundred cancer affected children by the Karunya Nilayam as the 10th anniversary programme indeed adds importance to the mission of this institution.
Towards a quality life
When the children have become independent Karunya Nilayam should become a "Home away from home" for many of the inmates who have found new rehabilitation avenues. The Karunya Nilayam as well as the inmates should maintain their umbilical connection and be of mutual help to each other. This connectivity with the Karunya Nilayam should remain so that the youth are able to support the activities of the Nilayam financially and psychologically. This will enable the new entrants to draw fresh inspiration and confidence to overcome the obstacles and inhibitions and prepare themselves for carving out a better future.
I am sure all the inmates of Karunya Nilayam will also have the optimism in facing the challenges of life. I wish all of you to carry this message to make your life meaningful. I am happy to inaugurate the "Light of Life" project of Karunya Nilayam.My best wishes to all member of Karunya Nilayam for success in their mission of mitigating the pains of the poorMay God bless you.
I am sure all the inmates of Karunya Nilayam will also have the optimism in facing the challenges of life. I wish all of you to carry this message to make your life meaningful. I am happy to inaugurate the "Light of Life" project of Karunya Nilayam.My best wishes to all member of Karunya Nilayam for success in their mission of mitigating the pains of the poorMay God bless you.
