On April 28, 2019, the Access Life America Youth Chapter once again outdid themselves. Hosting their second annual Gold Ribbon Strides 5k for charity, the youth chapter attracted over 250 participants. Members of the youth chapter volunteered at the registration tables, served out the complimentary snacks, and monitored the race track to ensure that their event ran smoothly. Additionally, they designed the T-shirt, logo, and flyer for the event. Of course, the event would not have been possible if not for the donations from sponsors that the youth chapter reached out to, including Paramount Software, 27th Investments, Patel Brothers, Primrose of Johns Creek, Resolution Technologies, Cancer Center of Middle Georgia and the music band Dhwani.
The weather was gorgeous on this beautiful spring day in Georgia, and after a light drizzle, the sun was out. The youth leaders kicked off the event promptly, and the 5K runners were off followed by the 5K walkers thirty minutes later. At various points along the track, youth volunteers were strategically positioned to encourage the participants, and ensure that everyone was thoroughly hydrated. After the walk, participants gladly took a picture in front of the event banner surrounded by a gorgeous natural vista. There was plenty of hot masala chai and coffee to energize the participants along with various healthy snacks that were a perfect footnote to this beautiful event.
With the funds raised from this year’s Gold Ribbon Strides event, Access Life America can proudly provide care to six children struggling from cancer, and their families for over six months. Started in Mumbai, India, Access Life works to provide a sterile, safe, and healthy environment for children (and their families) who come from rural areas for cancer treatment. Oftentimes, without Access Life’s services, these families do not have the resources to provide for safe shelter while they are receiving treatment, and instead end up living on the streets. On average, it is approximately $287 monthly to provide care for a single family.
Additionally, the Access Life America Youth Chapter, comprised of a select few youth leaders, also focuses on providing aid to the local Atlanta community. Youth members volunteer time at and raise funds for local charities, such as Meals by Grace, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Drake House. As a part of this other mission, a portion of this year’s event’s proceedings went to the Ronald McDonald charity. Overall, the well-planned event happened on a beautiful day without a hitch. The Youth Chapter is eager to work on their next project.
What is the purpose of life?
A seemingly simple question yet old and young ponder over its hidden complexities. From the skyscraper office-inhibitor to the school back-desk dreamer, at least once in a while, the thought dances over our minds. Yet, we push this idea aside and in a flash we begin our personal journey of life – get an education, pass exams, go to university, get a job and before we know it, we are back to square one. However, this time, we are probably lounging late one night in our newly furnished dining room, or swivelling in a leather chair as we admire the freshly bought mahogany table sprawled before us. All it takes is a simple preacher, an idle headline, a passing thought to snap us out of our delicately designed futures with busy lives to remember ‘Oh, how unfortunate’ as we see a 4 year old child dying of cancer. Not because treatment wasn’t available but because a home was not.
Access Life America (ALA) is a non-profit organisation, which regardless of its individual volunteers’ purposes of life, works as one unit to combat this issue. Like battleworn warriors, they charge into the center of the fight, picking up children and families warring against cancer, and bringing them to a safe (and hygienic) haven. Working with AccessLife Foundation (an organisation based in India), they lock horns to improve the quality of life of children, who otherwise would not have the chance to live. Supporting parents and families, providing a home-like environment, recreational activities, educational resources – anything and everything they can do to make a change and help these children.
The shift is truly remarkable.
ALA offers a life revolutionising tour – one that I was very lucky to attend. Due to the current pandemic, I met the staff virtually who then took me through a tour of the accommodation to the playing area, sleeping quarters and even the kitchens. Yet, sitting behind my screen as I smile glossy-eyed, listening to the sweet singing of a boy whose life is changing with cancer treatment and still manages to break into a wide grin with cheerful eyes as he thanks me profusely for talking to him, shifted my goal. Seeing these families laugh, seeing the children smile, seeing the homes that have been provided to them sends you ripples of joy which is almost heart-breaking. It is a once in a lifetime experience that no one can ever replicate. So when I turn to the heroes working to help these families, what can I offer? They have changed children and given the gift of life – a gift so precious that one can never know what it is like to have it taken away.
Yet warriors need armour and hospitals need medicine. ALA has a noble mission: To offer a home-like environment for families arriving for cancer treatment and to improve the quality of life of the children by providing practical support services and recreational programs. To aid this mission, we need funds so that these children can continue to be given the beautiful gift of life. Give a one-off donation or for $25 a month (£20), you can provide a family and be a part of this change. You can donate at: www.accesslifeamerica.org/donation
We all have time to waste on thinking about our paths and purposes but a child living in a rural village, is a minute away is contemplating death over spending all their parent’s savings to get a bus ticket to the hospital. And even if that child gets that ticket and reaches the hospital, then what? The family needs a home, food, water and without these fundamental items, everyone will perish. Take the chance to change lives or minute by minute, a child will die. Are you going to continue to waste your time?
Ralph Waldo Emerson stated ‘The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well’.
So scrap the purpose of life, let me ask you, if you died tomorrow, would you like to have saved a family, a child, a life, and lived well?
About the author:
Devangi Vyas is an avid blog writer, future medical student, a friend and a daughter. She enjoys working with different organizations that focus on giving back to the community and helping families in need. Recently she was part of AccessLife America’s Youth Leadership Program (Thrive for Success) where she spent six weeks learning about non profits, leadership skills, basics of fundraising and mechanics of global philanthropic initiatives. She is the founder of Newstead Soroptimist, a school-based branch of the UN recognized charity Soroptimist International, fundraising to execute unique projects aiding the community as well as women and girls across the globe.