This year, the Ray of Light Foundation, which provides free medical treatment to children with cancer from less privileged families, is planning to help treat 60 children under a new project, ‘Children’s Cancer Cure 2017’.
At an event to launch the project on Monday, founder-trustee of the Foundation, Priya Ramachandran said the foundation was started 15 years ago, and has so far treated 124 children and 85% of them are well. The children come from across the State and Andhra Pradesh, and receive specialised medical care at Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital.
The foundation spends up to ₹5 lakh on each child. This year, with a significant amount of donations, the new project aims to treat 60 children, she said.
Cricketer Murali Vijay said patients must not be afraid and should consult doctors if they had a problem.
Liver transplant surgeon Mohammed Rela highlighted the fact that cancer is curable, and therefore worth investing in. He also spoke about the importance of charity and the fact that it was the responsibility of everyone to help — whether with their money or with time.
A child helped by the Foundation as well as a parent, whose daughter is undergoing treatment for leukaemia, spoke of their experiences and thanked the foundation and the doctors for their support.
Prizes were distributed to children at the event. S. Balasubramanian, medical director of Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital participated.
