Walking on the streets of Munnar while reciting the slogans of Cancer awareness, the volunteer of the Ashakiranam Cancer Care campaign is fueling the fight against Cancer. Around 75 volunteers following the covid protocols gathered for an awareness rally “Say Yes to Life & No to Cancer” which started from the heart of Munnar city to the MISTs office on January 14, 2022. Most of the volunteers are working in the Tea Garden plantation who in their free time volunteer for cancer care and preventive activities. 

While flagging off the rally, Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India addressed the Volunteers as wonder makers because they can heal the community through their lovely and committed activities. He expressed his gratitude for their ineffable works and contributions to Caritas India through Ashakiranam activities.

Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign is an integrated approach not only to support patients for their treatments but also to prevent this killer disease through family farming, awareness, early detection camps and providing information on treatment facilities. Volunteers are pivotal in this journey of the great mission of creating cancer resilient villages with a wide variety of activities in building awareness, serving cancer patients and cancer preventive activities. This rally was a part of a volunteers meeting organised by MISTs, Munnar, the regional office of Vijayapuram Social Service Society to recognize the volunteering works and encourage them for sharing their service to the community in an enhanced manner.

The rally concluded with the signature campaign inaugurated by Mr. K.R Manoj, DYSP, Munnar. All the volunteers and distinguished guest expressed their solidarity by putting their signature and restating their commitment towards eliminating cancer. Mr. K.R Manoj said that “Catholic Church has always set models in the health care activities and Caritas India’s intervention through Ashakiranam campaign is highly appreciative in terms of Cancer prevention and patients support.” Mr. Manesh Paulose, Circle Inspector, Munnar released the Annual Ashakiranam Action Plan for Volunteers and said, “The Action Plan shows the preparedness and enthusiasm of Volunteers to be engaged with Caritas India for Ashakiranam activities. The activities designed will create positive changes in the community.” 

The Volunteers gathering programme officially started with a prayer song by the Ashakiranam Volunteers team followed by the welcome address of Fr. Francis Kambolathparambil, Director, MISTs. Fr. Paul interacted with the volunteers and shared the trajectory of the Ashakiranam campaign. He also emphasized the milestones of the campaign and shared that “the catalyst behind the success and growth of Ashakiranam Campaign is nothing but the Volunteers and their timely volunteering activities. We owe to the services of these volunteers and the world needs your time, talent, expertise, resources etc. for building a better place to live in.”

Fr. Augustine Binoy Mecheril, Executive Director, VSSS, Vijayapuram in his presidential address said, “Ashakiranam Campaign caused the popularity of the DSSS activities in her operational areas and VSSS could come up with a good number of cancer care activities and it has become a peoples led programme in the diocese.”

“In cancer struggling scenario of Kerala, the movement like Ashakiranam is a hope and a relief for the people especially for the poor, through the coordinated efforts Ashakiranam can spread more positive sparks in the communities,” said Adv. A. Raja, MLA, Devikulam constituency, Munnar while officially inaugurating the volunteer gathering. He concluded his speech with a wishing statement that through the focused services of Volunteers, society and the life of people may witness happiness and peace. 

A volunteer handbook was released during the ceremony by Adv. M. Bhavya, Member, District Panchayat, Idukki. She appreciated the Cancer care services of VSSS and MISTs in the Idukki districts and handed over the handbook to Volunteers of Munnar. As a token of appreciation and inspiration to Volunteers, Caritas India identified the best Volunteer from VSSS considering the volunteering activities during the past 2 years. 

Dr. David J. Chelly, Director, TATA, High Rage Hospital, Munnar handed over the best Volunteer memento to Mr. Jijimon. He shared a case story of a cancer patient who survived only to fulfil the mission in her life, which provided enthusiasm to the volunteers. “Volunteers have a divine power to empower the will power of the cancer patients then bring back them to normal life and it is a divine mission” said by Dr. David J Chelly. 

A resource mobilization programme called “Karuthal Sprasam” (caring touch) was inaugurated by Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely. Karuthal Sprasham is a campaign that focuses to support 1-day chemotherapy cost of cancer patients for their medicinal needs. The first donation to this campaign was contributed by Volunteers from St. Joseph’s Church Maramon and Rs. 50,000 was handed over to Fr. Paul to the campaign support of VSSS, Vijayapuram. The cancer awareness pledge was taken by the volunteers holding a candle during the programme. Fr. Joshy Puthuparambil, Dr. V.R Haridas, Mr. Abeesh Antony delivered felicitations for the programme. The programme officially concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Prameela Ashakiranam DLO, VSSS, Vijayapuram.