Increasing Commitment For The Cancer Community In India

Around 2.5 million people in India are living with the disease of cancer. Every year, over 7 lakh new patients are registered, according to the National Institute of Cancer research and prevention.

The good news is support for cancer patients are now strengthened further. Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) has decided to do so in the fight against cancer in India among other worthy causes. This is in association with Hong Kong-based RYTHM Foundation.

RYTHM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of direct selling company QNet and CPAA came together in late 2016. CPAA is a non profit organisation dedicated to the total management of cancer as a disease for last 48 years.

Cancer-related deaths stand at a figure of 5,56,400. Deaths in the age group between 30-69 years are 3,95,400 (71% of all cancer related deaths). Comprising of men at 2,00,100 and women at 1,95,300.

In September last year, Vivek Oberoi announced a partnership between the CPAA and RYTHM Foundation for the Adopt-a-Patient Scheme to fund the treatment of 20 children with cancer, from low income families. Children between the ages of 2 and 16 have been undergoing treatment. At present, 19 children are on the road to recovery and undergoing maintenance therapy.

“Thank you Vivek Bhaiya, RYTHM and CPAA for helping us,” chorused the kids to the thunderous applause of 20,000 people from around the world who had gathered at the 5-day annual global convention of the company in Malaysia. The Foundation is currently in discussions to fund a project for early detection of cancer.

“RYTHM stands for Raise Yourself To Help Mankind, which is the underlying principle of the Foundation that believes in helping people become self-empowered, in order to have a positive impact in society. CPAA has been working passionately and relentlessly towards cancer treatment and awareness, especially for patients and families from the lower economic strata,” said Richard E Zinkiewicz, Trustee of RYTHM Foundation.

In the past, the Foundation has partnered with Avalokiteswara Trust to build 15 libraries in rural schools in the remote villages of Ladakh region and has also donated about 25lakhs to the Akshaya Trust in Madurai to build a shelter for the homeless. Earlier in 2008, the foundation donated 19 lakhs towards UNICEF’s water and sanitation programme in the flood affected districts of Bihar.

“We are committing to allocate $1 mllion over the next 3-5 years towards community well being projects in India in line with the government’s health initiatives through active participation in the Swastha Bharat Abhiyaan program,” Zinkiewicz added.

Cancers of oral cavity and lungs in males and cervix and breast in females account for over 50% of all cancer deaths in India.