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Retinoblastoma is one of the most common types of eye cancer. There are several other potentially lethal cancers of the eye which affect the young and old. In the developed world these cancers are detected and treated in the very early stages, but in countries like India where awareness levels are low and poverty levels high, often people get to a doctor only when it is too late.
In a devastating number of cases the eye must be removed, and various treatments are required to prevent metastasis. [More...]
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The Ring of Hope Fund was started on February 14th 2004. Since then it has helped serve 80 children and adults who otherwise would have been unable to access crucial medical care
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Who Are We?
Aravind is an eye hospital in Madurai, South India. It is the world's largest and most productive eye care facility and it's mission is to eliminate needless blindness and to provide high quality eye care services to everyone, rich or poor. Two-thirds of its patients are treated for free.
Patients with eye tumours are taken care of by Aravind's Orbit, Oculoplasty and Oncology Clinic. While Aravind's services (including surgery) are provided free of charge for those who cannot pay, the treatment these patients require involves specialized services outside the realm of eye care. A team of medical professionals from the city of Madurai has come forward to help these patients. Their specialties include radiotherapy, radiology, oncology, neurosurgery, pathology and ENT. But there is still a missing link. While this team is ready to volunteer its time and skills, funds are still needed to cover extra costs like cancer medication and blood replacement.
How Does It Work?
The Ring of Hope Fund helps complete this circle by paying for these costs through donations.
A contribution of
- Rs 45,000 (US $1000) will pay for complete treatment which may include several cycles for one child or adult.
- Rs 12,000 (US $250) will pay for initial investigations and first cycle of treatment
- Rs 4,500 (US $100) will pay for every successive cycle of treatment
Chemotherapy sessions are administered at Aravind, in consultation with a local oncologist and for the duration of their stay the children and their families are provided free food and accommodation. A trained nurse attends to their needs while an experienced medical officer stops by for regular check-ups. [More...]
The Difference You Can Make...
There is no longer a sense of helplessness in the Orbit Clinic, because the staff knows now that there is a way to reach out to these patients. The generosity of our donors enables us to extend the best quality of care to people who have nowhere else to turn. Already more than 80 patients have received treatment through this fund; some have even been Completely cured. There are simply no words to express the joy, relief and gratitude of these patients and their families.
You can bring Hope to someone's life. Here & Now. Come make a gift today and
Join the Ring.
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This is Kaviarasu, he is two years old and has retinoblastoma. His left eye has already been removed. When the tumor reappeared a few months ago his father brought him back to Aravind where another surgery was performed to remove the recurrent growth. Kaviarasu now requires radiation treatment and chemotherapy to prevent his cancer from spreading. Without such treatment his chances of survival are slim.
His mother and father are dailywage field workers earning less than Rs.30 (approx 65 cents) a day and the costs for Kaviarasu's follow-up treatment are far beyond their means.
Each week at least 5 patients like Kaviarasu with life-threatening tumors of the eye turn up at Aravind's doorstep.
Read some stories. |
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