PRATYASHA - a candle of hope for the children affected with cancer/cured of cancer.

Under the aegis of Pediatric Oncology Division of Regional Cancer Centre, a support group -Pratyasha was formed in April ,2004-to support the affected families during illness and its treatment regime and also afterwards. The organisation believes that it can bring a smile on the children’s face with the hope of relieving some of the stress from their parents, maybe for just a short period or for lasting memories.

Why “Pratyasha”

Because

  • Every year more and more children are affected by cancer in our country.
  • Children with cancer and their parents suffer both emotionally and economically.
  • Solidarity is possible and desirable and helps to reduce the problems associated with long and difficult periods of treatment.
  • The Number of people successfully overcoming the illness is continually increasing.

Objectives of Pratyasha

  • Create the conditions for an environment of basic hope to face the illness.
  • Support the patients who are getting treatment from the pediatric oncology division of RCC, providing proper facilities and services to make the treatment affordable.
  • Promote blood/platelet donation.
  • Raise funds to meet the expenses of treatment, providing special sponsorship forms, collecting tins and publicity materials for use in schools/colleges who raise funds.
  • Extend psychological support to children by providing psychological reasoning, playing with them, organising socio-cultural activities, tutoring for school days lost, organising rehabilitation and convalescent breaks for children with illness.
  • Create awareness in public regarding the illness and to wipe off unwarranted suspicions about the after-effects of the illness, ostracizing young people cured of cancer from normal life (study, employment, family, life etc).
  • Rehabilitate children who are cured of cancer, impress upon the employers the importance of giving suitable employment to the cured patients and preventing them from being prejudiced by their previous medical history.
  • Promote greater awareness and understanding of the issues and effects of childhood cancer with other health or child related organisations.