Diagnosed with cancer twice, Delhi’s Durga Gopal had to spend several lakhs on her treatment. Today, she is helping other patients by raising funds.
She notes, “Cancer treatment is very expensive, and up until now, I was using my insurance money to cover the expenses. But now, that has also stopped, so I have to dig into my savings.”
“But there are many people I come across during hospital visits who have to borrow money from their families or take loans so that they can live one more day. I wanted to help such patients.”
It was in 2010, when her husband had just passed away, that she was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time.
While her children were living in the US and Germany, the 70-year-old retired bank employee put on a brave face and decided to undergo the painful chemotherapy process by herself.
When bills started mounting up, she had to sell her house in Delhi to be able to afford the treatment.
After a month of radiation and five years of medication, a large lump was removed and she was declared cancer-free.
However, seven years later, she found out that the cancer had spread to her lungs. This time, it was more aggressive and painful.
Another round of medication and radiation took a toll on Durga’s mental, financial, and emotional well-being. Unwilling to give up, she eventually won her battle against cancer.
Today, she has become a beacon of hope for many survivors like herself. For this, Durga decided to work with hospitals for voluntary work.
First she was approached by US-based Myna Foundation to organise a fundraising event in Hyderabad. They managed to sponsor 50 mammograms for breast cancer patients from lower economic families.
Moreover, with help from Soumya Hospital, her former bank employees, family, and friends, she raised close to Rs 20 lakh in 16 days. With this, she was able to help sponsor treatments for more than 50 patients.
You too can help Durga raise funds here:Name: Sushritha FoundationBank Name: AxisAccount Number: 922010010538980IFSC Code: UTIB0000030Branch Address:H.No.8/2/293/82/J/3/19,Plot No.19/3, Road No.71,Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.