For years, Margret Jose was suffering from Cancer.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 when I was working as a nursing assistant in the health department,” says Margret. “It was easy to detect cancer in the early stages being in the medical field.”

The treatment started at Vandaanam Medical College Alappuzha and Regional Cancer Centre Thiruvananthapuram but she never let any negative thoughts cloud her thoughts or emotions and always kept herself engaged in work. Her daughter was always there with her in these difficult times.

“One day, we all have to face death in life but success in life is about being able to face it with courage,” says Margret to motivate others with her successful life story.

In 2017, she joined Caritas India Ashakiranam Cancer Care Programme as a volunteer and a motivational speaker in Alappuzha Diocese. Within few days, many started following her as a model for inspiration due to her active volunteerism and being an ambassador of a cancer survivor. Margret is also involved in community mobilization, patient support services, volunteer promotion actions, and awareness classes in the different parts of the Alappuzha Diocese. She also engaged in networking with Regional Cancer Centre Trivandrum and connecting the poor cancer patients and families with RCC Trivandrum.

Realising her true potential, she was selected as an Ashakiranam Resource Team Member of Alleppey Diocesan Society and has done various volunteering activities for Cancer patients during this COVID 19 situation. Now, she is the Ambassador of the Ashakiranam Cancer Campaign of the Alappuzha Diocesan Social Service Society and adds value by motivating cancer patients and their families in need.

Margret cancer surviving story and her active volunteerism were much appreciated in the Resource Team Meeting conducted by Caritas India Kerala Team.  He has inspired many with her zeal and enthusiasm even after such a life-changing situation. As part of the capacity building and empowerment process, Caritas India conducts regular meetings with the Ashakiranam Resource Team from the grass-root level volunteers to learn and motivates others.

Ashakiranam Cancer Campaign has established a strong Resource Team across all the DSSS partners in Kerala with 20 to 25 members each. Diocesan Laison Officer and Resource Team members jointly implement the Cancer Care Actions through volunteers in the community. The Caritas India Kerala Team has successfully organized Resource Team Meetings with SAMRIDHY, Muvattupuzha Diocese, ESSS, Verapoly Diocese, VSSS, Vijayapuram Diocese, and COD, Thamaraserry.