South Indian Bank, one of the first private sector bank in Kerala came forward to support the Caritas India Ashakiranam Cancer Care campaign.

Under the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility, wheelchairs, water bags, airbags, and blankets were provided to the palliative care patients and cancer patients in a small handing over ceremony. The event followed the Covid-19 protocol and invited a few patients and bystanders to hand over the materials.

As part of Ashakiranam Campaign, Quilon Social Service Society (QSSS) is assisting 600 cancer families with the support of South Indian Bank. The event was attended by QSSS team members and selected volunteers following the social distancing norm.

“Charity is not what we give after the savings, rather it should be what we give from our daily earning,” said Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Antony Mullaserry, Bishop of Quilon Diocese attending the ceremony. The programme was inaugurated by Shri. N. K. Premachandran, (Member of Parliament, Kollam).

Ashakiranam is not a program but a campaign to achieve cancer-free villages. It is one of the flagship cancer care campaigns of Caritas India in Kerala which was further extended to other southern states.

A host of activities were carried out under the campaign to create awareness, garner support and assist patients in need.

Cancer awareness actions, Slow food Campaigns, Safe to eat food promotion actions, Patients support programmes, Palliative care support services, Patients Registry formation, Caritas Samaritans, Tele Counselling Services, Cancer Detection Camps, Health Camps, Organic Farming promotions, Kitchen Garden Promotions, Vegetable seeds and bio manure distribution are few among many initiatives taken by the Ashakiranam team in Kerala. The campaign ensured the implementation of the cancer patients pension schemes, Volunteers Registration and safe food habits through house visits and regular monitoring.

As part of Resource mobilization, QSSS launched the Ashakiranam Charity Box for the fund mobilization. Smt. Honey Benjamin, (Mayor, Kollam Corporation) launched the charity boxes which will be placed at the Quilon corporation offices, department offices and other diocesan institutes to generate funds.

Shri. Sijo Paul.E., (AGM, South Indian Bank) and Shri. Shilan Raegeo (CSR Manager, South Indian Bank) graced the occasion and handed over the materials to the patients. At this occasion Shri. Rineesh Antony (DLO, Ashakiranam) shared the concept of Ashakiranam and the programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Rev. Fr. Joe Antony Alex.