This Christmas Ashakiranam, the Cancer Care Campaign of Caritas India have not been idle, however, and many have been finding creative ways to promote vital messages about cancer and raise funds. In Kerala, for example, the team took a host of activities like Meal of Joy- Christmas meal for homeless, Share the happiness- Christmas presents for cancer patients, Carol Fest, Snap with Santa, Be with Cancer Fighters and 1+1 Volunteer Campaign. In a State which has 135.3 per 1 lakh people cancer incidence rate, it proved a useful way of connecting directly with residents about their health.

The whole idea was to mobilize resources for Ashakiranam activities and also supporting cancer patients and vulnerable public. All the Diocesan Social Service partners helped in this process by making their contributions from Selling cakes, CSR fund mobilization, one-rupee campaign, coin box collection, Individual Sponsorship, Donations by Institutions. 

Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign is one of the comprehensive campaigns of Caritas India for the prevention and care of cancer patients in Kerala. It provides help and spread awareness in the society to prevent cancer and reduce its risk.

Christmas season is all about sharing the Christmas spirit and joy with everyone around us. Carol for cancer was conducted as part of Ashakiranam campaign to develop a new phase which promotes sharing and caring for one another. Since Christmas encourage doing something extra for someone, Carol for cancer had incorporated various events to make it a memorable December. Partners conducted 140 programmes across Kerala in all 14 districts including 138 panchayats. They have mobilized 55,40,220 rupees and with the mobilized amount different activities were conducted across the state,

Being the month of joy, happiness and sharing, when everyone around the world was spending this season in the most jovial manner. Ashakiranam cancer care campaign reached out to the destitute and the needy and provided Christmas meal to make them feel special and one among us. This initiative has helped to provide food to 2,949 people across the state.

Similarly, through ‘Share the happiness’ initiative 9,007 cancer patients, differently-abled and various others were given Christmas gifts to share the happiness with everyone. The spirit of Christmas was elevated by giving and sharing joy.

‘Carol fest’ a Christmas Carol Competition was conducted across 14 districts of Kerala to rejoice the festive season and mobilise funds which can be used to support the cancer patients and their families. 55 Carol Fests was conducted, and fund was mobilized. The best entries were selected from each diocese and was sent to Caritas India out of which 3 were selected and honoured

DLOs, the Ashakiranam point persons also joined together under the ‘Be with cancer fighters’ initiative to provide a meal of joy and Christmas gifts to the cancer patients.

The 32 DLOs of Kerala combined their personal donations together and visited Christu Raja Home Piravom and conducted cultural events and dinner was served to the inmates.

The volunteers of Ashakiranam plays a major role in the success of this campaign and December also being a volunteer promotion month worldwide. The 1+1 volunteer Campaign was conducted in each Diocesan partner where 10 new volunteers were selected who are now being registered in the Caritas India Volunteer online portal. A total of 310 volunteers were mobilized by the Ashakiranam team.

Caritas Kerala Team also mobilised 250kg Cake and food kits which was provided to general hospital Ernakulam (oncology ward) and also visited 3 destitute homes and dinner was served to the inmates.

Carol for cancer campaign was conducted with the help of 31 Diocesan partners. Positive insights and changes were able to bring by Caritas Kerala team, Campaign was successful in building a mindset among the people of sharing giving and caring. An inspiration to not make it a seasonal practice but to implement in our lives. 

Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign has urged people to help in simple ways this Christmas to spread the joy of this season with others especially Cancer patients.