Viji Venkatesh is country head of Max Foundation, a global health organisation. In her conversation with Lokvani, she focusses on Chai for Cancer group.

What motivated you to start Chai for Cancer group ?

Chai for Cancer is a unique Awareness and Fundraising tool that aims to brings likeminded people together who are willing support a cause dear to their heart . It aims at engaging the community in a basic level and encourages people to donate towards the welfare of needy patients undergoing treatment for cancer. The funds go towards the work done by The Max Foundation in India.

What is it about the Sari that brings everyone together?

The Saree is an inseparable component of the Indian woman’s persona and psyche. It serves as a means of bonding and carries within its folds such a lot of personal history and memories.

The connection between the Story of the Soup stone and Chai for Cancer is that just as in the case of the Soup stone which was not the only ingredient in the soup made by the hungry traveller, Chai for Cancer is also not just what is offered in return for the donation. Just as the lady of the house added many things to the pot of boiling water and the Soup stone to make a delicious soup, our Chai for Cancer hosts too open their homes and hearts to the cause and offer food and snacks to all the guests who attend a Chai for Cancer Adda.

Tell us a little about your hosts for this Chai? Who are they and how do you connect with them?

Our hosts are the soul of this project. They are my friends, family and well-wishers and as in the case of Jaya Pandey, someone who recognized the cause as one she and her family could espouse. Without even knowing me she welcomed me into her home and the concept of the Adda as well…Sheand her son actually donated their Graduation Party to the cause.

How do you put donations to use?

The funds raised go towards providing emotional, informational and practical support to cancer patients and their families.

What services does the Foundation provide to cancer patients?

Please do feel free to check out our website – the URL is in my signature.

In India are they enough organizations that devote for patients of cancer ?

Yes indeed but given the nature and magnitude of the problem, they are never enough.

I notice that you have various ongoing campaigns of art and hats etc? What has been the response for this initiatives.

These are all directed towards the well being of our patients, to allow them to face the diagnosis with dignity and hope – our patients no longer feel isolated or afraid and find great coping skills through our interventions.

Finally share us the goal of your US visit?

To bring awareness of the needs of patients to the community here , engage them in our projects and build long lasting relationships. All of which is directed at enabling us to better serve our patients.

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