On 4th February 2022, in light of World Cancer Day, the whole CHF team visited four cancer patients’ homes to individually meet and speak with them. Everyone in the team had a lovely, pleasant, and uplifting time as people shared their stories and the paths they had walked through. Graciana spoke about Catherine’s life and the pain that she had been through while suffering from cancer, and how she never lost her cheer, even when she kept being bombarded by one piece of bad news after another. It was a fruitful and well-spent day for the CHF team. We gave them one month’s worth of groceries and a nightie each.

Pandi Selvi worked as a construction worker. She had a little lump in her breast, and during the PET scan came to know that both her breasts had tumours. As a result, both breasts have been removed. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment and is still on the road to recovery. She is staying with her daughter’s family and her son-in-law, a painter by profession.

Rama Valli is a homeless person who sleeps on the street. One of her relatives prepares and serves her meals. This elderly lady is suffering from a brain tumour but the doctors have refused treatment because she is quite old and cancer has spread to other parts of the body. She is now at a stage of life where she is unaware of what she is going through.

Vani Chithra is a mentally challenged 41-year-old woman. She had breast cancer a few years ago and had one of her breasts removed. She is now suffering from the side effects of chemo and is going through some difficulties, yet her spirit is unbroken. Despite her pain and suffering, she is pleasant and happy. Her father is an elderly man who works as a security guard in one of the companies nearby. Her mother begs on the streets. Beula is a 38-year-old woman who is in a very sad stage in her life. Her husband is a daily wage earner. She started with immediate treatment three years ago when she discovered a lump in her breasts. Unfortunately, in spite of chemo, the disease has now spread to her brain. She has previously had brain surgery, but now again has a large lump on top of her skull that has developed into a tumour. She now has more surgeries lined up in the future. We were amazed to hear how her young son Manoj Kumar (who is studying in class 6) has been taking care of his mother all this while, even when she was bedridden. He was the only one who used to clean her and change her diapers.

In memory of your loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer, or those who have survived this fight and are still with you by the grace of God, please donate to CHF so we can help many more such cancer patients. A one-time donation or a monthly contribution will go a long way in supporting these poor patients.