In Mumbai, a community comes together on World Cancer Day to support those battling cancer. The Rosary Parish in Dockyard has taken significant steps to help cancer patients who arrive in the city for treatment, often without a place to stay.
World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, was started by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The theme for 2025-2027, “United by Unique,” reminds us that each person facing cancer has a unique journey filled with challenges and triumphs.
Understanding the importance of a “people-centered approach,” UICC encourages communities to focus on individuals, not just their illnesses. The Rosary Parish embodies this spirit through its compassionate outreach.
In 2022, the parish launched a program to provide housing and support for cancer patients. Many patients traveling to Mumbai for treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital often find themselves without shelter, sometimes forced to sleep on the streets. This initiative started during the World Day of the Poor when parishioners distributed meals to cancer patients near the hospital. The response was so encouraging that the parish decided to do more.
Under the guidance of Fr. Nigel Barrett, the parish transformed a storage area into a free, self-contained studio apartment for underprivileged families. This space provides not just shelter, but also a sense of hope and community during difficult times.
A powerful story of transformation comes from Sruti Malabishoyi, a young woman from Orissa. Sruti was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a tough journey that forced her to leave her job as a domestic worker in Mumbai. When she returned to Mumbai in January 2024 for treatment, Rosary Church welcomed her warmly, offering her a place in the renovated apartment.
Sruti shared her struggles: “The news of my cancer broke me. I had sleepless nights filled with tears and pain.” Yet, amid all this, she felt a deep assurance of God’s presence. With support from the parish, she received free medical treatment, financial aid, and food supplies.
As her chemotherapy progressed positively, she faced a new challenge: amputation. This was a difficult time for her, but once again, the parish provided essential support, helping with emotional and financial needs, including contributions towards a prosthetic leg.
Today, Sruti is cancer-free and grateful. She embodies resilience and the strength of community support. Her message to others fighting cancer is simple: “Have courage, don’t quit. You never know when God opens a door.”
On World Cancer Day, the Rosary Parish reaffirms its commitment to those in need, living out a message of compassion and care. Their efforts remind us all that no one should face cancer alone, reflecting the spirit of love and support that defines community.
Source link
India, medicine & health, charitable organizations, women
