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.
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.
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.
A fit Body leads to a positive Mind, which forms the basis of serene Soul and Happiness.
On April 29th, The Youth chapter of Access Life America hosted their first-ever Gold Ribbon Strides 5K Walk/Run event at Webb Bridge Park, Alpharetta, GA.
The initiative was to promote healthy life-style and to create awareness about Access-Life’s commitment to support little-souls impacted by cancer. The event was a collective and collaborative initiative and was selflessly supported by of many folks from myriad walks of life. Youth chapter of AccessLife participated in planning and execution of the event by designing the logo, flyer and encouraged friends and families to sign-up for this cause.
190 health-conscious souls participated in the event, with ages from 8 years to 73 years old. The run started at 8am. The logistics were very meticulously planned and executed. There were ample amount of nutritious supplements, water, coffee, tea and energy bars. All the registered participants received excellent quality T-shirts with Gold Ribbon Logos.
Access Life Assistance Foundation in Mumbai, is working to provide much needed support of safe and hygienic accommodation to child-patients and their families, who travel to Mumbai from remote towns and villages for cancer treatment. Access Life Assistance Foundation provides a loving and temporary home for the parent or care-taker and the child undergoing the treatment.
Presently there are 5 centers in Mumbai, which are presently hosting 43 child-patients along with parents. Since last 3+ years, 180 kids have stayed at ALA centers while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Average cost to support the stay of a child-patient is approximately $287 per month. If you would like to support, please donate by clicking here.
Hexaware was the Platinum Sponsor of this event. Other sponsorers were CCMG (Cancer Center for Middle Georgia), Resolution Technologies, Paramount Software Solutions and Envoy Mortgage. Glad Clicks captured the exciting moments of the event. Part of the proceeds will go to Atlanta Ronald McDonald House of Charities as part of ALA’s Give Back initiative to local charities.
Are you getting ready for next ALA’s 5K Walk/Run! Healthy Body, Healthy Soul!
Bollywood Beats 2019 : Pay it Forward mission by supporting Kids combating against Cancer
by Hardeep Singh (hsingh6005@gmail.com)
On March 23rd , Access Life America organized Bollywood Beats 2019 – a musical event to promote their efforts of providing support to children and their families, who are fighting against cancer. One of the biggest challenge faced by patient families, is getting a hygienic accommodation in highly costly city of Mumbai, during the treatment. These families come to Mumbai for treatment, from remote parts of India and find it very expensive and strenuous to find a sterile place to stay. Access Life provides temporary accommodation at their six locations in Mumbai India, where these families are given home-like environment and facilitates other logistical challenges to improve the quality of life of these children by providing practical support services, educations resources and recreational programs.
Girish Nair and Ankeet Dave started Access Life (India) mission in 2014 and then Gopal Nair, Parvinder Singh and Rajesh Veliyath expanded Access Life America in 2015. The first center was at Chembur, with arrangement of 8 families to stay. Then second center was started in summers of 2016 at Thane, Mumbai and third center was started in winters of 2016 in Andheri. Today there are 6 centers spread across Mumbai suburbs and 5 transport vans to transport patients. 57 kids and caretakes stay at any given time in these 6 centers. Total of 430 patients have stayed at ALA centers till date. Yoga classes are conducted regularly along with daily meditation.
In year 2018, two new programs were initiated: 1st a Nutrition Therapy for young adults in Tata Memorial Hospital and 2nd is Hygiene kits distribution. 193 kits have been distributed in Wadia, Sion and SRCC Hospitals.
ALA’s youth chapter does volunteer work with local communities like Atlanta Ronald McDonald House of Charities, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Meals by Grace and the Drake House. Youth chapter will be facilitating 2nd Gold Ribbon Strides 5k Run/Walk even in Wills Park, Alpharetta on April 28th, 2019.
Bollywood Beats 2019 was inaugurated by Pratt Vemana, Chief Product and Experience Officer, HomeDepot. The event was held at Mountain View High School, Lawrenceville GA. Various local singers, musicians and dance groups participated and supported the event, which is their way to contribute towards the noble cause.
The cost to support the stay of 1 child and the family is $ 287 per month, which is cost towards to lodging, transportation, food and even tickets back to their home town. Nutritional Therapy costs $1400 per month and Hygiene Kits cost $1000 per month.
