Cancer Awareness
Project Background:
The Cancer Awareness initiative is a small step by the Kerala Club of Detroit, USA to provide awareness of Cancer among the people of Kerala, many of them poor, medically indigent, and unaware of the deadly consequences of the disease. Through mass media campaigns and other grass-root awareness events like community walkathons for cancer awareness, this initiative will drive awareness, knowledge, and solidarity in communities state-wide in fighting Cancer.
The widespread availability of medical literature and easy access to scores of material in the mass media in the Western nations about health issues and disease control makes it easier for its citizens to be informed about disease and possible treatment protocols. Alas, this is not the case with many of the people afflicted with deadly diseases in the developing world.
In India for example, the priorities of Government health policy continue to focus on eradication of communicable and parasitic diseases or population control. Sadly, there is a dearth of coordinated agencies or programs at a community level to educate the masses on deadly diseases like cancer for example. It remains a fact that over 700,000 new cases of cancer and over 300,000 deaths occur annually due to cancer in India, while the extent of awareness of cancer, its causes, the treatment options, etc. are very limited.
Partners and Resource Providers:
We have identified Mukesh Foundation as our strategic partner for the state of Kerala. The leader behind the foundation (Actor Mukesh from Kerala) will become the brand ambassador for the Cancer Awareness Program in Kerala and will take the leadership in promoting awareness at grass root levels. We anticipate the involvement of leaders from various facets of life including politicians, renowned doctors, business men, social workers, survivors and cine-artistes .
In USA, All Kerala Medical Graduates and Indian Nurses Association, Michigan chapter are taking lead roles in this noble cause. Awareness materials are licensed from Susan G Komen ® , National Institute of Health and American cancer Society. In the initial phase of the project, a set of document are translated to Malayalam language under the written permission from these organizations.
How the Money will be Spent?
— Mass produce material in simple to understand local languages and through other media efforts, disseminate the material at rural clinics and medical centers throughout Kerala (Source material provided by Susan G Komen®, American Cancer Society etc).
— Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to disseminate Cancer prevention, treatment and post treatment care information by organizing Awareness Events.
— Create Cancer Awareness videos and broadcast through local TV, FM channels
— Provide TV and DVD kits to hospitals and run Cancer Awareness videos in district, medical and private hospitals
— Provide basic infrastructure to hospitals that will help promote the Cancer Awareness initiative (Awareness Cell-In-A-Box)
— Seek support and cooperation of the local people to sustain this noble cause by encouraging participation in Cancer Walkathons to raise money, and funds to help cancer victims
Cancer Awareness Latest News
Project 6 – Kottayam Dist-Rehabilitation & Cleaning Supplies- Completed
Former President of Kerala Club of Detroit Jain Mathews along with group of youth volunteers went to the Kallara Panchayath in the Mundar area of Kottayam District with the cleaning
Project 4 – Lions Club Thodupuzha, Idukki- Completed
Lions Club Thodupuzha members in partnership with Kerala Club of Detroit along with the National Service Society unit volunteers of 93 students and 7 staff member from Santhigiri College Vazhithala
Project 3 – Camp Chingavanam, Kottayam- Supplies for Camp-Completed.
Chingavanam School is serving as makeshift emergency relief camps for Lakshmi Veedu Colony members. Kurichi is another relief camps serving the needs of people affected in Kottayam. Based on the
Project 2 – Pallakkad District – Beds for Camp Inmates – Completed
The Kerala Club of Detroit, Michigan donated 1000 beds to the inhabitants at Kanjikkode Apna Ghar relief camp at a function held in Palakkad in the presence of Sri. D.
Project 1 – Rotary Club of East Kottayam – Completed
The Kerala Club of Detroit and its members currently in Kerala partnered with the NGO – Rotary Club to hand over the most essential clothes items that were requested by
Supporting – The Children’s Oncology Group.
The Kerala club supported The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) by making a donation. COG, a National Cancer Institute-supported clinical trials group, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood