Author: abhi

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Blogs Boston blog post

Gold Ribbon Walk/Run

Gold Ribbon Walk/Run

The Boston Chapter of Access Life America proudly hosted its annual Gold Ribbon Strides 5K walk/run 2021 event at Cape Cod Canal, Buzzards Bay (MA)

The energy and enthusiasm of the participants upon successful completion of 5K walk/run was amazing. Our proud supporters and volunteers made this event successful and empowering (as always).

With the flexibility of walking/running at individual’s convenience (of place and time) the participation increased by almost 200% this year. In addition, the event received tremendous support from all across the US.

We hope to continue our efforts to create maximum awareness about our cause of supporting Cancer bravehearts.

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Blogs Boston blog post

Bridge Lighting

Shining a light on Childhood Cancer

September, being an International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Boston Chapter of Access Life America organized for lighting of iconic bridges from Massachusetts to carry golden glitter  (Gold being the color associated with Childhood Cancer Cause). It was a symbolic gesture as a part of an awareness campaign to shine some light on the dire challenges posed by this disease as well as to celebrate our bravehearts and their courage for battling cancer with smiling faces !

1. Zakim Bridge (Boston, MA)
2. Burns Bridge (Worcester, MA)
3. Longfellow Bridge (Boston, MA)
4. Fore River Bridge (Quincy, MA) were illuminated in golden & red color. Access Life India has been doing a similar lighting initiative in Mumbai for past couple of years, but Access Life America did it for the very first time this year in the US and it would not have been possible without the support from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). We hope to continue our efforts to create maximum awareness about this cause and supporting our little bravehearts.

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Blogs Jacksonville blog post

Raas for a Cause 2019 – Baby steps, giant strides in Jacksonville

Raas for a Cause 2019 – Baby steps, giant strides in Jacksonville

September 21st, 2019. Access Life America, Jacksonville, Florida Chapter hosted second mega event “Raas for A Cause” – An evening of dance, music and delicious street food to promote and raise funds to provide support to children and their families, who are fighting against cancer in Mumbai.

Jacksonville is one of the youngest members of Access Life America. But being a baby of this family will not stop them from making the biggest impact on these kids’ lives. This was a very well-coordinated and an organized event.

Raas for A Cause 2019 was held at Twin Lakes Academy Middle School, Jacksonville, FL. About 550 people gathered to celebrate this event that kicked off Pre- Navratri festivities. There was a live band “Nights of Bollywood” from Tampa, FL singing Gujarati folk songs and Bollywood fusion songs! Participants and supporters enjoyed dancing to the live music. The singers were talented, melodious who kept the dancers and participants engaged and eventually frenzy.

In addition, various restaurant owners, local vendors collaborated and supported the event by donating items like samosas, pakoras, sweets, tea and coffee to sell at the event to raise funds which was their way to contribute towards the worthy cause. Community volunteers were on their feet selling food in an organized way.

Moreover, youth and adult volunteers showed early to volunteer and donate their time and effort to help with fabulous colorful festive decorations. The center of attraction was the Durga Deity which was handmade by local temple priest which looked magnificent. The decorations done by creative volunteers stole the entire show. The decorations used were gracefully donated by community.

Last but not the least, the traffic was organized and handled by volunteers and Jacksonville Sherriff Officers. Since last year the parking was not enough, this year the Elementary School parking was utilized for smooth traffic control.

Overall, the key word for Raas for A Cause 2019 was involvement, where not only the Indian community but also other communities joined, gathered and involved to support this noble cause and to make the world a better place.

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Active Patients

Samar Gupta

Meet our BraveHearts

Samar Gupta

Age : 7 years

Place : Raibareli, Uttar Pradesh (820 miles from Mumbai)

Samar is a bright child and inquisitive child. He is attentive when it comes to studies and has an aptitude for mathematics. Samar loves to play with remote controlled cars. Samar and his parents moved into Access Life center in March, 2021.

Fighting Cancer

Samar’s stomach started paining one day while playing. His right hand also got swollen up. The doctors did an X-Ray and diagnosed it as a fracture. While the swollen arm was plastered, the child lost appetite over the next one month. Samar’s stomach started to swell up and legs became thinner. He was also feeling hungry all the time and a small tumor was found in his neck.

The parents took the child to Satyam Hospital in Raibareli where few blood tests were done done and then the child was referred to the Kamala Nehru Hospital in Allahabad. Here the child underwent blood tests, X-ray, CT Scan, and USG and was diagnosed with blood cancer. The family then came to Mumbai for treatment. Samar had completed 4 cycles of chemo at the Sion Hospital.

Challenges

The family had to undergo different diagnoses initially. This was not cheap, especially when the family faces financial challenges.

Give the gift of health to Samar

Thanks to generous donors like you, Samar Gupta has been adopted and their needs will be taken care of for the duration of their treatment.
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Active Patients

Ahil Pathan

Meet our BraveHearts

Ahil Pathan

Age : 5 years

Place : Naigaon-Khairgaon, Maharashtra (350 miles from Mumbai)

Ahil is a shy kid and is quite dependant on his mother. His parents want him to be educated in his mother tongue, but he is not too exposed to basic academic concepts. He enjoys watching cartoons and is trying to make some friends. The family has been staying at the Access Life center from June, 2021.

Fighting Cancer

Ahil’s initial symptoms were fever and stomach pain along with swelling in the stomach. The family visited a doctor and admitted the child in the Hospital in Nanded for 8 days. But, the problem could not be diagnosed and the treatment plan suggested was very expensive. The doctor then suggested the family try Wadia Hospital in Mumbai.

Challenges

The family already has financial troubles due to low income. The family faces a lot of financial difficulties. The villagers helped the family with some amount and they were able to manage to hitch a ride on someone’s car to Mumbai. After reaching Mumbai they struggled for shelter. Even though they have relatives in mumbai, none of them were in a position to put them up. The family put up at the hospital for the first few days before learning about Access Life. Ahil has two more sisters who are currently staying with Grandparents and misses their parents.

Give the gift of health to Ahil

Thanks to generous donors like you, Ahil Pathan has been adopted and their needs will be taken care of for the duration of their treatment.