Donor offer

If you wish to donate any gadget, books, medicine, clothes, etc., just call us on:

09969154602 or 022-25064775 or email at: akn929@yahoo.com 

APPEAL

Dear Sir,

I am Arpita, 25, from Orissa.

I need to hold your helping hand for the noble cause of my rehabilitation.

Since the rehabilitation is an expensive affair, which can only be possible on charity as, my parents and I are not financially well up. Please find here with a general appeal to philanthropic individuals, institutions, trusts to provide generously to facilitate my rehabilitation where you can get a detail account of my prolonged seek ness since 3 years as on date. Please go through the appeal with patience and communicate me your benevolence. On demand I shall furnish any additional documents if required. 

Your kind reply is anxiously awaited.

Yours sincerely,

Arpita Pattnaik

DISABLED INDIVIDUALS URGENT PERSONAL APPEAL FOR HELP

I, Miss. Arpita, narrate the sad incident that has come to visit on me in the better part of my life. I am 25, native of Dhenkanal district of Orissa. My father is a retired businessman turned 70, supports the family with an irregular and inadequate income of about Rs 60,000 per annum .We are two sisters, I being the youngest, the eldest is married.

Looking back to my teenage, I recollect, I maintained a normal healthy life and had no chronic ailments. The fateful day was 29^th, June 2003 the dreadful viral infection GBS attacked me which pulled me up by the roots. It took not much time to engulf my total body like wildfire. It sent no indicator for its visit and snatched all happiness of my life. The previous night I went to bed at the usual time. Next morning when I woke up I found my entire body went without my commands. I experienced inconceivable pain in my breathing and I started grasping. Thereafter darkness descended in me and I lost my senses. Later I came to know that I remained unconscious for about 2 months. On regaining consciousness I found my upper and lower limbs have turned immobile.

          It has been since 2 ½ years on doctors advice I have taken physiotherapy by a qualified therapist and now I am in a stage with some severe deformities like drop foot and grip less hands, which compels me to lead a disabled life. Some doctors are consulted and their ultimate view was I have to accept this for the rest of my life.

          This deadly disease GBS came as a rude shock and snatched my mental peace away. When I used to think of my future I foresee dark cloud hovering over me. My parents were old enough to live long. They are since then providing me all care. But how long? The day their protective umbrella is removed who is to take care of me? Where to go? What to do? This was striking my mind off and on.

          During these days I was able to contact Dr. Kenneth. M. Leavitt, Reconstructive Foot and Ankle surgeon, Fellow American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon having 35 years of relevant experience. After analyzing my case in every detail, he assured me that surgical treatment can be done which can at least turn my foot stable and I can walk with or without support. Further after knowing my background the philanthropist offered me to comedown to India to do the necessary surgery for charitable purpose.

In this context I brought this US doctor for e-conferencing with my treating doctor Dr. Sanjay Das (Deputy Director NIRTAR, Orissa) and Dr. S. S. Mohanty (Associate Prof. Ortho) King Edward Hospital, Mumbai and he could explain his idea before the above renowned surgeons. He convinced them and they three concluded to conduct the necessary surgery.

          So far so good. Surgery being free the stumbling block surfaces now is to meet his air travel and lodging charges during his stay in India. If it can’t be arranged all my efforts over years would go down the drain.

Conservatively the amount involved is Rs.2 Lakhs, Which I fully depend on charity as my parents have exhausted their total life savings on my treatment and on marriage of my elder sister they are not resourceful enough to meet this need. But ‘Where there is a will there is a way’—with this hope I approach you to come forward to share this noble cause. I feel the merciful God has entrusted you the task to extend all help in bringing back my normal life. On demand I will submit all relevant papers including Case history, Doctor’s Report etc.

Response to : akn929@yahoo.com   (att: Arpita)

......................................................................................................

ASHA means hope

Association for Service and Healing of Animals (ASHA) is a  registered NGO formed in May2006 with the objective of helping stray and suffering animals by providing help in their treatment, sterilization , rescue and rehabilitation. ASHA also spreads the message of compassion towards animals through educational programmes in association with other groups like, Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD), Beauty Without Cruelty(BWC), In Defence of Animals (IDA), Plant &Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) etc. Our focus is to create awareness on animal rights and particularly on the relevance of snakes towards the ecological system. For this ASHA plans to conduct a CD show on the snakes of Maharashtra , Goa and Karnataka. This presentation is in association with the Indian Herpetological Society, Pune.

ASHA has undertaken a project at Panchgani by which we provide help to Ms. Janice Smith, a retired school teacher who runs an animal shelter against great financial odds. We have sent her small amounts of cash and medicines for the upkeep of the stray animals  she has adopted. In association with PAWS we would like to sterilize and vaccinate all the animals in care of Ms. Smith. We regularly wish to send her funds and items like dog food, food bowls, leashes, tick collars and medicines. Since we have received acknowledgement and a detailed account of how she has spent the money, we wish to continue supporting her and are also looking for an animal loving group of individuals who can care for these animals in the long term . Any queries and help for this cause are welcome. 

ASHA wishes to take up more cases of individual animal rescue and hospitalization like the recent one where an abandoned and injured donkey  was saved from a busy road and hospitalised at the Bombay Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals(BSPCA). He was fondly named Moti  by the ASHA rescue group.

We have a group of six trustees, all of whom are animal loving and compassionate people. We work in tandem with our sister concern Save Our Strays (SOS) for the sterilization, and vaccination of stray dogs in particular. We plan to launch the ‘Adopt a Stray’ campaign.

At the outset we have limited but definite plans yet our dedication and aspirations are limitless. With support from animal loving people we hope to make a positive difference in the lives of our non- human friends.

Brinda Upadhyaya

President ,  Associaton for the Service and Healing of Animals (ASHA)

LOVE & LIFE FOR ANIMALS
ASHA (Association for Service and Healing of Animals -Mumbai Charity Reg.No-E23316).
903-3B, Green Acres, Lokhandwalla Complex, Andheri(W),Mumbai-400053,
India. Phone No-9820127085.

......................................................................

Thalassaemia

Issued in Public Interest by Mumbai Thalassaemic Society

Member of :

Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF)
Thalassaemics (India)
National Thalassaemia Welfare Society
Centre for Advancement of Philanthrophy
Regd . under  Soc & P.T. Act Mumbai. Exempted under I.T. Act. Sec. So-G.

What is Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia or Cooley,s Mediterranean Anaemia is an Absolutely preventable “Genetic Disorder” of Red Corpuscles (R.B.C).

In India, it is emerging as a very serious health problem affecting, according to W.H.O. more than 7% -8% of Indians and increasing by at least 4%-5% annually.

Public Awareness is at best Negligible.

Normally Doctors confuse it with iron deficiency Anaemia.

Theoretically some of the high risk communities are Punjabis, Sindhis, Sikhs, Bengalis, Kacchis, Lohanas, Kumbis, Memons, Khojas, Bhanusalis etc. but no community is safe.

Two Major Clinical Forms of Thalassaemia are:

(1)     Minor (Disorder) Trait Carrier

(2)     Major (Disease)

Person having Thalassaemia Minor (Trait) generally is healthy, with mild anaemia. It can be discovered only by specific blood/genetic tests carried out in hematology labs or referrel centres.

India may have more than 70 million carriers of this Trait

It is only when both the mother and father are minor/trait carriers  that a “Thalassaemia Major” child is born.

Thalassaemia major patient requires regular & lifelong blood transfusion for survival. But every blood transfusion carries with it a horror of HIV (HIV-ve blood transfused can turned into HIV +ve in six months in what is known as a Window Period.

Due to multiple blood transfusion, patients continuously need to remove (Chelate) Ferritin/Iron.

Currently there are two drugs available for Chelation:

1)   Injection “Desferal” is infused by needle under the skin (subcutaneously) with the help of a     pump/syringe driver  daily for 10-12 HRS. This therapy is painful & very expensive.

2)   Capsules ‘Kelfer’ is given orally, under the strict medical supervision. But, some patients get serious adverse reactions and are unable to tolerate this drug.

Apart from the above Thalassaemia major patients, over   a period of time, suffer from diabetic, splemic, cardic, endocrine, heptatic and other complications.

1)       In ignorance this disorder/disease flourishes

2)       Awareness is the best way to prevent birth of a Thalassaemia major

3)       Prevention is the best cure

Some of the Thalassaemia Carrier Detection/Screening Centres in Mumbai

1)       B.J. Wadia Childern Hospital. Tel : 24129786

2)       C.B. Patel Research Centre. Tel : 26175363

3)       Dr. Bharat Agarwal. Tel : 26426846/26431902

4)       Dr. Lokeshwar, Tel : 2411 0240/ 24128020

5)       Dr. Sunil Parekh, Tel : 2369 1297/ 2364 9913

6)       ICMR, K.E. M. Hospital, Tel : 2413 8518

7)       Project Thalassaemia. Tel : 2380 3336

8)       SION Hospital. Tel : 2407 6381

9)       Specialty RANBAXY Ltd., Te; : 2835 2375/2490

Prenatal Detection:

Should be a availed if Both the parents are Thalassaemia minor (trait carriers), within 10-19 weeks of pregnancy, at Hemeotologists specialising in these tests.

M.T.S. is primarily formed by parents of Thalassaemia major patients/friends/patrons/wellwishers

Some of our objectives             

Organising Thalassaemia parents/ patients

Rendering assistance in making easily available, the requisites of “Thalassaemia Major patients”, at the lowest possible cost. In deserving cases, sponsoring drugs, School/College/Professional course fees/Uniforms/Stationery etc.

Encouraging by felicitation Thlassaemia Major patients with citations/prizes/gifts for their performances in school/college/professional courses/extra curricular activities.

Getting Government Blood banks to co-ordinate with Thalassaemia parents/patients/societies/clinics/transfusion centres/hospitals etc.

Monitoring/ Conducting Voluntary blood donation camps.

Creating public awarness about this Absolutely preventable disease by organizing screening-detection camps/campaigns with like-minded, concerned and caring people/organizations.

Creatin a FORUM by interacting/supporting both national and international Thalassaemia Societies/organizations.

Special Appeal

Now it’s a need to improve Thalassaemia Major patients’ quality of life/future-

Please Donate Blood at least once a year. It takes less than 30 Mins. But, for Thalassaemic patients it’s a lifeline.

Drugs : Capsules – Kelfer/ Injection – Desferal

For Education : School/College/Professional Specialised Courses in fees/ stationery uniforms etc.

For Self Employment to make Thalassaemia major patients economically independent & self sufficient.

Sponsor:

Awareness Drives/ Campaigns.

Blood Detection/Screening Camps

Deserving Thalassaemia Major patient

Support :

By getting yourself/your family/friends tested for Thalassaemia Trait.

Become a member of the MTS

Anyway / Your way this struggle against Absolutely preventable painful genetic blood disorder, Thalassaemia Major

Hope, care --------------Till the cure:

For information, participation, contribution, contact regd off: Engineer Building, 5^th Floor, 265, Princess street, Mumbai 400 002. Website : www.mumbaithals.com   E-mail :  president@mumbaithals.com  / vazirani@vsnl.com 

OR

Ms. Purna Sheth (President)  Tel : 281 2391/6838 (R) Fax : 281 1414

Mr. Kishen Tinani (Gen. Sect) Tel: 649 9131 (R) Fax : 471 4657

Ms. Shilpa Ruparelia (President) Tel : 201 0280/200 7368 (R) Fax : 413 5867

..........................................................................................................................

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS -- CRIPPLES YOUNG ADULTS; HELP US FIGHT IT ! 

What is MS and MSSI ?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the Central Nervous System, affecting its functioning unexpectedly and repeatedly, resulting in devastating disabilities in young adults in the prime of their lives. MS has various symptoms ranging from minor visual disturbances to total paralysis, due to which simplest everyday tasks can no longer be efficiently performed. It is a mysterious crippler disease of the young adults. But it is not a contagious or hereditary. A few years ago Multiple Sclerosis was thought to be rare in India but with modern techniques like MRI scan etc now more cases are diagnosed than earlier. 

Since the inception of Multiple Sclerosis Society of India on July 26, 1985, the Society has played an active role in the field of welfare for persons suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The Society is servicing nearly 1000 patients all over India through the Head Office in Mumbai and branches at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. The MS Society of India is affiliated to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation , U.K. 

MSSI SERVICES : 

Identification of MS patients and initial help: 

The Services includes identifying Multiple Sclerosis cases by visiting hospitals and Neurologists. Due to this effort the hospitals and doctors contact the MS Society for financial help for MRI Scans and hospitalization expenses for the needy patients. After giving the initial help the Society regularly follows up and helps the patients by offering them various services available. The Society sends their Social Workers who counsels and helps the newly diagnosed patients and their family members to come out of their initial trauma and accept the disease. 

Free Supplementary medicines  

These medicines are supplied to needy patients at monthly Diet Workshops. Several Pharmaceutical companies donate some of these medicines i.e Becosule,

Evion, Neurobin Forte, Celin, Sirdalud etc. 

Physio/Occupational Therapy  

The aim of MSSI is that each MS patient should lead as full a life as possible. Physio/Occupational Therapy is adjunct to medical treatment. Exercises and activities reduce symptoms and after effects of the bouts of attacks. Therefore the Society provides Physio/Occupational therapy thrice a week by sending their therapists to all the homebound patients. The role of the therapist is to give therapy to the patient for one hour and counsel them if needed. 

The Society also provides Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes, Waterbeds and various other Physiotherapy equipments and incontinence products.  

Disability Certificates : 

Disabled persons are entitled to various benefits like income tax rebates, concessions for train and air travel etc. To get these benefits they are provided with Disability Certificate which is issued only by selected Govt. Hospitals all over India. In Mumbai the procurement of this certificate used to be quite tedious and time consuming. The Society requested the Medical Director of authorized Hospital to issue these most essential certificates at the Society’s Free Medical Camp which is held in Mumbai every year. For those who are unable to attend the Camp, the MSSI staff arranges to get these certificates from the government hospital with minimum stress and fatigue to the patients.  

Rehabilitation : 

The employed Multiple Sclerosis patients in India find it difficult to convince their employers about the complexities of Multiple Sclerosis as a disease, and their unusual fatigue problem. Therefore they tend to lose their jobs with the advent of the disease. In this matter the MSSI tries hard to convince the employers. The Society also helps patients who have lost their jobs by trying to establish a new way to gain income, by providing computers, sewing machines etc. and also by acquiring telephone booths in public places which patients or their family members can run, to make them economically independent. 

Workshops and Seminars and Free Camps : 

The Society organizes various workshops for the benefit of the patients. Physiotherapy workshops are organized to guide the therapists about special exercises useful to manage MS. Occasionally yoga workshops are held. Renowned doctors also conduct medical Seminars from time to time to guide patients and their families to cope up with the disease by answering their queries.  

Free Annual Medical Camp 

The Annual Free Medical camps organized by the Society deal with full medical checkups and examinations of MS persons under one roof by distinguished doctors from various faculties. This Camp is very popular amongst MS families. 

Home Visits : 

Volunteers, Office bearers, and social workers maintain regular contact with the patients by telephone or by home visits. All patients and their family members look forward for these visits. 

Fundraising : 

All these services require constant flow of funds. From time to time we organize different fundraising projects. The Society raises funds through various fundraising programmes. It also approaches the Corporate Sectors and individuals. All Donations are exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act of 1961 and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). 

Our Sincere Appeal To : 

a) MS Patients : To become a member of the Society, free of charge if needed and to avail all the above facilities. 

b) Doctors & Hospitals : To inform MS patients under your treatment about the MS Society and its Services. Also to refer MS cases to the Society for National Data Collection. 

c) General Public : To volunteer your free time and resources to help these patients which will bring a little sunshine in their lives. 

To get more information contact : 

Mrs. Sheela M. Chitnis
Multiple Sclerosis Society of India
Samata Sadan, 2^nd Floor,
S.H. Paralkar Road, Shivaji Park
Dadar, Mumbai 400 028
Phone: 444 2067
E-Mail : mssindia@bom8.vsnl.net.in 

......................................................................................................................................................

Project Crayons
Mumbai
Tel: 0228208259.  Email: Projectcrayons@vsnl.net.

Dear Friends,

The idea of starting a shelter home and a school for the less fortunate street children was born more than two years ago, when we started teaching and feeding thirty  five children who were living on the streets. We saw the rapid changes in their lives and an encouraging response to receiving basic security and love.      

This is why we decided to start Project Crayons (Child Rehabilitation And Youth Oriented Nationwide Services).

We, through Project Crayons seek to assure the all round development and well being of children, communities who are bypassed, forgotten and endangered in  their present circumstances, regardless of their social and economic status. We seek to offer them a substantial opportunity towards growing up into complete, independent and contributing citizens. The focus of this project is towards the cause and care of the underprivileged section of the society, nationwide.

Currently we are running a school (A part of our rural education project) called “Kaveri English School” in Mangalore, a shelter home and a skill training center called “GHAR” in Poonam nagar , Andheri(E)

Kaveri English School: A focal point of three villages viz. Muthoor, Kulavoor and Kilenjar known as Kuppepaddavu in Managalore Taluk of Dakshina Karnataka district in Karnataka state, had no English medium school till May 31^st 2001. Geographically Kuppepadavu is about 30 Kms. from deputy commissioner’s office at Mangalore – Hospet highway. Local residents were finding it difficult to send their ward to a proper English medium school, which is around 11 Kms. away from Kuppepadavu. Hence, the need was felt by the residents of these three villages. Realizing this need Project Crayons went ahead with the construction of Kaveri English School. Aptly as people are benefited by holy river Kaveri, here also local residents are benefited by Kaveri English School to a great extent.

GHAR: GHAR houses nine girls and acts as a facility for the skill-training center. Besides going to school they spend their time learning different trade and earn while they learn. They make greeting cards, paper bags, files, folders and various gifts items etc. GHAR has various facilities like bathing, savings, counseling, washing facilities for any child who wishes to drop in and avail of the facility. Thus, GHAR is restoring the human dignity and building up the self esteem of the less fortunate underprivileged section of the society.

Our goal now is to construct a school near Mumbai,to give education for 350 of these children and also have an adjacent orphanage to house 100-150 children. We not only want to provide a home and education for the children  but would also like to offer an environment where there is an atmosphere of love and security, which these children would otherwise never know. Right now we have a small team of people from various professions who are actively supporting these children and enjoy contributing their time and resources in helping this project.

You can make a difference…………

Spend time with them

Teach them literacy, dance, music, crafts, handicrafts…..

Donate grains, household articles, toiletries, cloth for sewing and things that would be useful for the shelter home.

Render financial support for the upkeep of the children.

Help us in restoring the child back to their home.

We trust that you will extend your kindness for such a noble cause and be a part of this social welfare project as we need sponsors and supporters who want to take this opportunity and donate generously, which will surely have a visible impact in the time to come in these children’s lives.

*Donations and sponsorship to Project Crayon exempted under sub section (1) of section 80 G of the Income Tax Act 1961

....................................................................................