"Balti Suci" - Adding Life to Their Days - CanSupport and the Walk for Life 2011

U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy Roemer and Jeannie Mulford, wife of Former U.S. Ambassador to India, David Mulford

For the past three years, our family has donated our time to help in the operation of the Walk for Life; one of CanSupport's major fundraising activities of the year.

Preston installing "No Parking" signs along the walk route before the start

Things keep getting better year after year.......the Walk for Life, now in it's 4th year of existence, is growing in numbers of participants and volunteers alike. While the final numbers have not been tallied for this years registrations, it is well over the 5000+ participants from 2009's event.

Members of the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Band - 15th Battalion

The small role we play in supporting this organization stems from the fact that our family has been touched by the tragedy, struggle, survival and loss of loved ones that have been cancer patients.

Crowds growing before the start of the Walk for Life

Cancer touches the lives of an entire family, not only the loved one that has been diagnosed........words cannot adequately describe the emotional journey that a family goes through when they are faced with the knowledge that a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer........and then the tougher journey of dealing with the physical aspects of the illness.

Participants gathering for the speech's and the "Walk of Honor"

While we can rejoice that we currently have a survivor in our family, we have also been on the other side as well.........and in both instances, we have witnessed the compassion, friendship, care and love by those who provided hospice services to our family members.

Harmala Gupta at the podium, Founder of CanSupport

CanSupport was founded by Harmala Gupta, a survivor of cancer herself, who started India's first Cancer Patient Support Group in 1991.........after years of visiting cancer patients at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) she learned that there was scope for more help, beyond the counseling and support that she was providing to those still undergoing treatment and hanging onto the hope of becoming a survivor like herself.

Cancer survivors take the "Walk of Honor"

The grim reality was that nearly two-thirds of those that had visited AIIMS and other institutes were not responding positively to treatments and once the hospital had determined that a patient was not curable, they faced a void and were left to cope with their illness alone.......in 1996, through her dedication to the lives of those not as fortunate as her, Harmala filled the void and CanSupport was born with one palliative care (hospice) team consisting of: a doctor, a nurse and a counsellor.

Corporate and School groups organizing before they begin the walk

Today, CanSupport has grown to 10 such teams working in six field locations throughout the greater Delhi metropolitan area caring for over 500 current patients.

Controlling the flow of traffic!

A visit to the CanSupport website provided me with more information than I ever dreamed of.........including a story of a young boy named Vineet, who at 13 was battling with a curable form of cancer, but due to several reasons, his cancer remained only partially treated. CanSupport got involved late in this young man's battle with cancer...........and while he ultimately succumbed to the disease, the story of his courage and his love for his family touched me in special way.

The walk begins!

Medical treatment for cancer patients in India pales in comparison to the treatment available to those in the United States.



Vintage Cars carried survivors unable to walk allowing them to participate in the Walk for Life

While the people of India have a huge passion for movies, I am not sure how many of India's 1 billion people saw the Hollywood movie entitled "The Bucket List"; the story of two cancer patients that became friends, bonded by the tragedy of being diagnosed with cancer......and living the last days of their lives embarked on a journey all over the world on a private jet checking items off their list of things to do before they die.



Young boy cleaning up after the walk collecting recyclable items

While reading the story of Vineet's last days on earth, as told through his caregivers at CanSupport, I learned that Vineet's "Balti Suci" (Bucket List) was much more humble than the lists made by the character's in the Hollywood blockbuster.................and in the end, Vineet's one wish was not able to be granted.



GE.......they bring "good things to life"


Wherever you may be in this world of ours you can find a place to make a small difference in someones life...........or as it appropriately states on the CanSupport website........"While we cannot add days to their lives, we can life to their days"............



Preston and Pat participating in the Walk for Life!

I urge all of you who read this blog post to volunteer, participate as a runner, walker, skater, or bike rider in an event that will help make a huge difference in the lives of someone that is dealing with cancer.

Sally, Linda and me with the gang!

Each year, at the end of volunteering at the Walk for Life, I know that our family is touched in a special way by supporting CanSupport's mission.



Jeannie and David Mulford, Former U.S. Ambassador to India and some volunteers

Learn more about Vineet, CanSupport and about Harmala Gupta at: CanSupport Website



Preston and Matt after the Walk for Life

I hope you enjoy the pictures from the Walk for Life 2011!

Visit the CanSupport and Walk for Life Websites

Walk for Life 2010 and an Invitation.

Can Support, the cancer patient outreach that Linda helps support throughout the year, is the beneficiary of the "Walk for Life".

The Walk for Life is now it it's third year, and it continues to grow in numbers of participants.



This year, the field grew even larger with a special section for those on wheels.....small wheels......skater's and skateboarders.....I even saw more pet's this year than I had seen last year. So bring your dog!



Last year, if you recall, I was a "last minute" volunteer for the walk!...I volunteered my services at the last minute to Roxanna,the CHIEF ORGANIZING OFFICER, who seemed a bit over stressed due to some logistical challenges. That was when she put me in charge of "security" at the front gate!



This year....while I was excited to be a formal volunteer......I even had to attend a Saturday Meeting. It was at this meeting that I learned that my scope and responsibility as a volunteer had substantially grown from the previous year.

Please don't misunderstand.........I am not complaining......I was very happy to help.

While I am not sure of my "official" title......I was again in charge of the main gate, but then I moved into logistics and coordinated the "Survivors - WALK of HONOR, then moved back into logistics with ensuring that on Roxanna's cue, all of the Corporate Groups made it to the staging area after the VIP's and on and on.

Last year......I received a T-Shirt.........this year, I had a special colored T-Shirt designating my upgraded status, in addition to an orange vest.....and a Walkie Talkie Radio with an ear piece.........how is that for "official"?

Linda was with me all the way..........floating around as needed.....we watched the Front Gate together until I had to leave to get ready for VIP arrivals, etc.



I was sooooooooo busy this year, I did not have time to take the number of pictures that I snapped last year.

But I managed to get a few.........



I know.....all I have mentioned so far was Linda and me.....what about Preston you ask? While I made him get dressed and get out of bed, early, he decided to ride back to the house with Ramesh and join later. Too sleepy to fulfill his volunteerism!



When he did arrive however, he managed to get invited into the VIP Area with his friends.





While we are in India, and specifically in Delhi, we will continue to support the WALK FOR LIFE........the organization was founded by a survivor of cancer and it manages to continue to touch the lives of thousands who have cancer and provide support to those in need and to the families.....medicine, health care and hospice.



Linda and I have both had sisters that have had cancer...........in addition to other family members....we are grateful for all of the volunteers from various organizations that supported them during difficult times..........and we are both very pleased to be able to support, in a very small way, an organization that does such wonderful work.



I have a special request for those of you reading this blog entry, WHEREVER, you may live in this world:

1) if you live in Delhi or the surrounding NCR area.....come out and participate in your own special way......pay an entry fee! Walk, Run, Skate, Skateboard.....or volunteer....donate your time.....but don't miss the event next year!

2) if you live anywhere else, I urge those of you who have never done any volunteer work, to find an organization that you have an interest in supporting.....and make a difference in someones life.....it does not matter what the organization is.......but by donating your time, or supporting an organization of your choice financially, you will make a difference in someones life in a huge way.



I invite comments from everyone...........but I specifically would like to hear from those of you who live in India.....Indians, NRI's, expatriates......ask me about Walk for Life......post a comment about volunteerism......share your experience....talk about your participation this year...what the walk meant for you.....and if you didn't participate.....ask how you can.....if you didn't walk and want to next year.....let me know.....say hello...I'll probably be in one of those very fashionable orange vests again!

Touch someones life........

Project Why - Revisited

Place: Northern Virginia, USA

...a trip down to the basement.....toys carefully chosen for durability by the wise parent......and hesitantly parted with by the children....isn't it funny how a toy/game, that has been at the bottom of the toy chest for months/years, suddenly becomes "my favorite" when it is time for it to be culled.....it is a scene I am most familiar with....it happened in our house on several occasions......a common scene that takes place in homes across the landscape of "Suburbia USA".

Most of the time, toys and games like these make it to the community/church garage sale......or make their way to the Salvation Army or Goodwill locations. Drop off bins are sometimes stuffed to overflowing capacity with toys and clothing items that are donated by caring people who wish for these items to have an extended life cycle beyond the need that it filled in their home. These acts of generosity/charity never quite fulfill.....as many times as I have carried things myself to donation centers.....and while I knew that my donation would make a difference in the lives of several....I never saw the smile......I never saw the end result of my donation. Think about it....have you?This box...had a different destination.....it was filled to capacity.....securely taped to endure the rigors of air travel.... and the loading and unloading of three separate airplanes....it was X-rayed and viewed by several eyes.....the box was touched by countless numbers of hands.....it made its way from the United States.....briefly stopped in Moscow, Russia for two/three days....and finally, after traveling almost 13,000 miles, it made it to the Govindpuri area of New Delhi, India.....100 yards or so, down a well kept alley off of a very busy street...past the lady sitting on the ground sifting lentils.....each step bringing us closer to the voices of children learning to count in English from behind the open windows and doors.......to "Project Why".When most of the people in Delhi are just getting started, the dedicated founder, Anouradha Bakshi, has been up at least four hours...organizing her day,planning the next, touching the lives of those who have stepped through the doors and slipped off their sandals/shoes,raising money and dreaming about the future.

Anu, as she is affectionately known, has a heart the size of India, and dreams as large as the world, but runs an organization that serves hundreds on what amounts to just a few U.S. dollars a day.The children that she serves and the lives she has touched are countless......but unlike the commercials for "Visa" credit cards that end with the word "Priceless", the reality is....making a difference in the lives of others.....in the real world......has some cost associated with it.

This blog entry is not meant to be self serving....or to bring attention to a caring family from the United States.....I hope that those who read this get a true understanding of what a difference can be made in the lives of others through small acts of kindness and charity.....whether it be in from a box filled filled with toys carried halfway around the world.....donating your time......or by opening your wallet or purse.For those of you who read this and are touched in anyway.....inspired to do something beyond your community, to reach out past the borders of the US...do something. If you are traveling abroad....do some research before you leave. If you are unsure or feel that it may be too complicated or you just want the assurance that your donation will be well received and will reach the right people...maybe feel compelled to donate to Project Why......I can personally vouch for it's legitimacy and the good work that is being done.....help if you can. See the links below.
Just look at this smile!

Email: anouradha.bakshi@gmail.com
http://projectwhy.org
http://projectwhy.blogspot.com
http://www.dearpopples.com

Project WHY ......Making a Difference one Life at a time!

If anyone is wondering why there has been a lack of entries in our Blog, it is simply due to the hectic schedule I have had over the past two weeks.

Three visitors from the US.....a Conference in Mumbai......visits to the hotel project sites......meeting after meeting......follow up from the meetings.....get the picture?

However, despite the crazy schedule and hours that were being kept, we managed to find a few hours to do some volunteer work.

I find it amazing how my life is guided at times......volunteering was not my idea especially while I was looking at the hectic schedule that was building on my calendar.....it was the request of one of my colleagues from the US, who asked if it would be possible for him to do some volunteer work while he was here on his extended trip(his third to India).

Of course, when his request came, I asked Linda for some assistance, as she has made some wonderful contacts through the organizations she has become involved in......and she knew the organization that was a perfect fit for what we wanted to do......Project WHY!

Linda had met "Anu" at one of the American Women's Association meetings she attended......Linda was moved by the work Anu was doing and how this woman had forever made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

The day we volunteered, it happened to be Anu's birthday, but even though it was a Saturday she was there to meet us.

She told us all about the organization; the work she does with children from the "juggi" (slum). She has a pre-school program which begins teaching English at a young age.....the ability to read and write and speak in English seems to be the foundation upon which a person can build a better life for themselves here in India.

Anu also takes in children and young adults who are mentally challenged.....she provides a refuge for them on a daily basis....an escape from the physical abuse many suffer if left at home...as they are not able to contribute to the family unit....therefore many are abused or simply ignored by their own families. Anu explained that she and her volunteers will sometimes physically go to the homes of these children and remove them from harm......teach them life skills....provide food and shelter....and simply show them love and affection.

She provides before and after school programs for children from the juggi as well. Public schools educate girls in the morning and boys in the afternoon.......and Anu and her volunteers work with the students....help them to complete their schoolwork.....and generally provide support to keep them in school and off of the street.

Project WHY is not funded by huge corporations or foundations.....Project WHY is a grass roots organization....started by Anu shortly after the death of her parents by her own yearning to make a difference in the lives of others.......and what an incredible difference she has made.

She went on to tell the story of a father......who sought her help to save the life of his son......the father did not have the money to seek the medical assistance for the open heart surgery his son needed to keep him alive. Anu found a way to make this happen......not once but over the years she has raised money to save the lives of 15 such children!

While Chris and Rob gravitated to the smaller children, I was more comfortable spending time with those a bit older......boys ranging in age from 9 to 15 or so......since our volunteer day was on a Saturday, most of the time the children spend are on "fun" activities.

The young man above is Radu......he is 13 years old and at the age of 8, Radu underwent open heart surgery with the financial assistance of Project WHY. I had the pleasure of playing three games of chess with him.......he beat me twice!

Chris, Rob and I also learned how to play cricket......a totally new experience for us.....and one I will never forget.

If you are planning a visit to India, and your agenda includes spending some time making a difference in the lives of others, Anu and her staff would welcome you with open arms. You can find those in need at every street corner.......there is no shortage of poverty.....the beauty of Project WHY is that you truly can see your efforts at work......your donation of time and money actually touching the lives of those in need.....without the worry of how your money may be spent or if it is reaching the hands of those who are not in need.

By the way......the average cost of an open heart surgery here in India is 80,000 INR (rupees).....about $1600.00 US......

To learn more about Project WHY I have included the link to their website......for those who read this blog and want to raise money for a very worthy cause.......donate clothing, toys, or time......Project WHY could use your help.

www.projectwhy.org

Character's,Critter's and Cuties.....at the Walk for Life

As with any public event, I knew to bring the camera along as I was confident that it would provide the opportunity to snap a few pictures of some interesting sites or people.

There was an Indian version of Charlie Chaplin......and a clown that was at the end of the race greeting the walkers as they were nearing the finish line.

The puppy.....which I asked to be kept away from Linda, provided some entertainment while the walk was taking place.....he wasn't as cute as Murphy!

While Linda was distributing drinks at the end of the walk, she fell in love with a young boy who was with a school group. He had approached her at the table....and took several drinks.....and kept coming back for more. Linda loved his smile....and of course she obliged him by letting him take more drinks......but his teacher must have discovered his gluttony, and asked him to return some......but Linda thought he was so cute.....I snapped some candid pictures of him.

He was a stunning little boy........who has no idea that he is being made "famous" by being featured in this blog!

Walk for Life - Our First Volunteer Project as a Family

Last Sunday was an early Sunday morning.....it began at 6:30 to get ready for our first volunteer project as a family.....the "Walk for Life". I just know that if Parker was with us in India, he would have been along side of us...pitching in with all of his heart.

Linda was the first to volunteer for the event, and I decided at the last minute to tag along....guessing that I would be able to be put to work in some capacity. So Linda and I left a note for Preston who was still asleep, and headed off in the early morning hours to help the organizer's set up. Ramesh dropped us off and headed back to the house to wait for Preston to wake up.....and bring him to the event later that morning.

When we arrived, Linda went to her post working the Registration Desk and sure enough, I was quickly put to work as a "Security" guard at the gate. Apparantly the two ladies that were to be at the post had not arrived at their scheduled time......so I went to work.

This is only the second year that "The Walk" has taken place and from what we were told, it is growing in participation.....and the need for raising funds is growing as well.......each year there are more documented cases of people with cancer here in India. Some attribute it to the change in lifestyle as well as diet.

Estimates of participation in this years event was approximated at 5,000 walkers......and hopefully next year it will be even larger.

I am sure that Preston and I will be involved in more of these activities through Linda's participation in various organizations.

It was a great day......and it felt good, even though we played a very small role, to give back to the community. Preston was able to help out quite a bit, distributing drinks to the walkers at the conclusion of the event.

I am not only looking forward to next years "Walk for Life" but I am looking forward to the next community service event that comes our way. Parker, we miss you...and love you......and wish you were here with us to help out!

I snapped some pictures of the event.....

Enjoy!