SHAMU MARUTI SONAWANE: True Grit

When Shamu Maruti Sonawane, 65, was diagnosed as suffering from cancer six years ago, it was a difficult moment for the Sonawane family who live at Todiwala road. They simply did not know how they would cope.

The polite, dimunitive man was sent by Inlaks Hospital to the CPAA for free medical aid. A grateful Sonawane says the help he has been receiving from CPAA was "God sent". Besides free medical aid, he receives foodgrains, clothes and gifts on festivals and any counselling he may require.

Further tragedy struck when his 22-year-old son, Nilesh, required a kidney transplant. His wife donated her kidney and CPAA found a donor to help out with the finances. Unfortunately, the young man’s life could not be saved. It is Sonawane’s positive state of mind and great faith in God that have helped him overcome his misery and grief. He often comes to talk to our director Dolly Rizvi and seek solace. The efforts of CPAA’s volunteers secured a job for his second son. "I and my wife are grateful to CPAA for their help in every sphere. Because of their timely help cancer patients recover and live longer," he says.

VINESH MORE: Brush with destiny

In 1997, Vinesh More was a carefree standard 7 student, when he contacted a cold and slight fever. Whenever he sneezed his parents noticed that blood oozed from his nose. Within four days he complained of pain in the legs, the bleeding continued and he would sleep a lot. Worried about why a normally playful, active child should be so often found in his bed, his parents finally took him to the Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital. He was diagnosed as having blood cancer or leukemia, which required long and expensive treatment.

Vinesh's father worked in a small private firm and the family’s financial position was bad. They were referred to the Cancer Patients Aid Association, which not only looked after the financial aspect of Vinesh’s treatment, but also helped the young lad to come out of his shell. His talent for painting and drawing was discovered and encouraged.

Today, Vinesh More is 15 years old and studying in the Erin Nagarvala School, and has recovered. He was sent to Panchgani for a vacation and looks healthy and leads a normal life. Vinesh is a regular at the Playgroup for Leukemia Children and is excellent in art and painting. Two of his paintings have been used on greeting cards by Hallmark.

JAYSHREE ATUL NIKAM: Light at the end of the tunnel

May 9, 1996 was not a good day for 39-year-old Jayshree Atul Nikam. She had not been keeping well for some time and investigations done at the Sassoon Hospital revealed that she had cancer.

Though Jayshree is from para-medical field, she was extremely disturbed physically and mentally on being told of her condition. She did not know how she would meet the expenses of her treatment and confessed that the thought of death constantly stared her in the face.

The doctors who treated her, Dr Koppikar and Dr Shona Nag, considerably reduced their fees, and in June 1996, she was referred to the Cancer Patients Aid Association. With CPAA's help she completed her chemotherapy, one month of radiation and a lumpectomy. Since the last five years she is doing well with medication and is under regular observation. "I have no words to explain my feelings about the help and encouragement I received from CPAA," Jayshree says.