CPAA: NGO's in India. India based NGO's dedicated to Cancer Care CPAA: NGO's in India. India based NGO's dedicated to Cancer Care
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Our Branches

CPAA has branches at Delhi, Pune and Chennai. Although activities differ, each strives to achieve the common CPAA objective of Total Management of Cancer as a disease.

Delhi Branch: Contact us

The Delhi Branch was started by Mrs. Urmila Zutshi, a naval officer’s wife, who was associated with CPAA in Mumbai. When she moved to Delhi, she started CPAA activities in partnership with the Rotary Club at the Rotary Cancer Hospital. Mrs. Kiran Hukku, who is now the head of CPAA’s Delhi branch, has carried on from these initial efforts. Since then, activities have been started at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), at Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan (LNJP) and Safdarjung Hospitals. At these three centres, CPAA provides medical aid, food, toys, books and counseling to cancer patients. Patients from Punjab, Rajasthan, Assam, Bihar and villages around Delhi, about 60,000 in all, have been provided assistance over the years. The centre arranges CPAA : Delhi Branch4-5 camps every month. A free detection camp was held on 22nd February, 2001 at Herman Gmeiner Hospital, SOS Village, Anangpur, Faridabad for the women of the village under the "Well Women" scheme. 70 women were screened by Dr. Mohini Nayyar, cytologist and President of Indian Academy of Cytology; Dr. S. Kaul, gynaecologist and Dr. S. Gupta, pathologist. The Cancer Insurance Policy is also administered from Delhi.

Funds are raised through ghazal and music programmes, film premiers, celebrity dinners and fashion shows which have been arranged at the Siri Fort auditorium and Ashoka Hotel. Recently, a new initiative was launched in the form of the "Friends of CPAA". A number of high profile personalities from various backgrounds, the media, public service and artistes have been asked to give their backing to CPAA in its efforts. Those who have expressed their willingness include Mr. Pawan Verma of the Foreign Service; Ms. Manpreet Brar, past Miss India; Ms. Shovana Narain, IAS officer and well-known danseuse; Mr. Shiv Jatia, head of the Hyatt Group of hotels; Mr. Jawahar Wattal, music director and Mr. Sohail Seth.Cooking Class The group intends to meet once a month and hold brainstorming sessions regarding CPAA’s progress. The "Empress Club" has also communicated their desire to support CPAA through their activities in February 2000, which will include a cooking class from a well-known chef. Various schools and colleges support our activities. CPAA delivers awareness lectures at these educational centres to give cancer related information.

Early in 1999, the branch was contacted by a team of visiting cytologists from UK, Australia and US on a visit to Delhi. Having heard about CPAA from the website, the group wanted to learn more about the activities of NGOs in India. The meeting provided the impetus for the organisation of a seminar at AIIMS by Dr. Mohini Nair, a renowned cytologist and friend of CPAA, during which Indian cytologists had the opportunity to interact with authorities in their field and learn about the latest trends.

Fun DayA regular feature of the Delhi branch activities is the annual Fun Day and Rose Day. Fun Day is held at the end of February when the weather in Delhi is at its best. The amusement park, Appu Ghar, throws open its doors for the patients, some terminally ill, who are encouraged to take as many rides as they wish. Food and games are organised and woolens and gifts are distributed. Shops in Janpath contribute generously towards this event. A number of celebrities participate and well-known singers, organised by Mr. Jawahar Wattal, entertain the group. It is always heartening to see them join in and put every effort to ensure that a good time is had by all. Shatrughan Sinha and Manpreet Brar are examples of VIPs who danced and played with the children last year with no airs. Mrs. Hukku relates the story about a woman who arrived on a wheelchair, but got up and danced along with everyone. Elderly ladies join in and are later seen pressing their legs. Volunteers feel their efforts are worthwhile when the patients say that they had forgotten that they are ill.

Rose Day is held every year on 22nd September when everyone is invited to join us in giving a rose to every cancer patient in the city and create a special day for him or her.

Bachchon Ki Phulwari Bachchon Ki Phulwari

The Delhi branch also organises "Bachchon Ki Phulwari", a playgroup for children undergoing treatment for cancer. Here you see the children express themselves through colouring pictures which can be a therapeutic activity. This picture has been made by Amit Dahiya.

'We are concerned with improving the quality of life if not the span of life, ' remarked Ms. Kiran Hukku. If you would like to contact CPAA’s Delhi branch, click here.

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Pune Branch: Contact us

Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures at the Inn Gallerie, Holiday Inn'CPAA's Pune branch held an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by top artists Buwa Shete, Milind Phadke, Dinkar Thopate, Ranjana Joshi, Vijay Dupatre and Pandurang Tathe on the 10-12th of March at the Inn Galleria, Holiday Inn. Ms. Dolly Rizvi, Director of the Pune Branch is seen at the exhibition with Mr. Sanjeev Chowdhury.

Ms. Dolly Rizvi started the Pune Branch in late 1995 when she moved there after 17 years with CPAA in Mumbai. The first office was started in her own residence. In September 1995, the branch moved to a one room office at Shri Polyclinic on Nagar Road and finally, in 1998, a permanent roof was found at Uttam Towers. The facilities include a multipurpose hall where awareness lectures, detection camps, presentations, a playgroup and rehearsals for programmes are held. The Pune Branch activities include

  • Awareness talks
  • Cancer detection camps
  • Medical aid
  • Guidance on Medical treatment

      • Patient well-being
      • Psychological aspects
  • Spiritual and emotional counseling
  • Yoga
  • Distribution of Food grains
  • Playgroup for children with leukemia

Awareness LecturesAwareness Talks: Talks are held for groups when invited. In rural areas, a doctor explains the harmful effects of tobacco and gutka, importance of diet, signs and symptoms of cancer and its treatment, with emphasis on early diagnosis. Pamphlets and posters in English and Marathi are distributed. CPAA hoardings can be seen all over Pune. Street plays are staged to raise awareness on various cancer related issues.

Camps Cancer Detection Camps: In 1997, the project "Saving Women from Cancer" was initiated. Since then, more than 4000 women from slums, villages and various offices have been screened for cervical and breast cancer. Breast self examination is taught at the camp. Men including police personnel, members of the press from Maharashtra Herald and Midday, employees of New India Assurance and Rotary Club members are also regularly screened. A special initiative is for "World No Tobacco Day" when people are screened for lung and oral cancers. Regular camps are held at Inlaks and Budhrani and Krishna Hospitals, in rural areas and at the centre at Uttam Towers. Doctors and technicians are arranged by our staff who accompany them for the camps in CPAA vehicles.

Medical Aid: Patients are referred to CPAA by Sassoon, KEM, Inlaks, Budhrani, Ruby, Poona, Sanjeevani Hospitals and by doctors and social workers from rural areas. CPAA funds radiation treatment when required, supplementary diet like Complan, milk powder and biscuits are given. About 380 patients have been aided in the past 5 years. About 5 new patients are registered every month.

Distribution of Food grains: About 55 patients are given 12 kgs of food grains, rice, wheat, dal, sugar, nachni and sabudana before the 10th of every month. This is made possible by generous donations from local merchants.

Diwali party Playgroup for Children with Leukemia: About 3 years ago, CPAA started a playgroup for children undergoing treatment for leukemia at Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital. The group meets every Saturday between 11 and 1. Activities include playing games, painting, dancing and music programmes, regular outings to 5-star hotels, video game parlours, picnics and factory visits. Each child’s birthday is celebrated, and festivals like Diwali and Christmas are observed. Recently, two children were sent with their parents for a dream vacation at Punchgani and Mahabaleshwar. About 20 children attend regularly. New patients join while undergoing treatment in Pune. These children are also given woolen blankets, school bags, tiffin boxes, clothes, school fees, etc.

Hamari Baaten: A sponsored newsletter called "Hamari Baaten" is published every 4 months which covers CPAA activities, latest news and articles of interest. This helps to publicise our projects.

Today CPAA’s Pune branch has the support of a number of companies and individuals. This has been made possible by tireless efforts on the part of the Director, Ms. Maharukh Mehta & her team.

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Chennai Branch: Contact us

The Chennai chapter of Cancer Patients Aid Association is still in its infancy. Director Padma Narayanan says, "Getting used to Chennai took me some time, but happened much faster than I assumed. My initial work with Paterson Cancer Center, gave me an understanding of the culture of the place. Nine months after setting up, I am now at ease with the patients. Knowing the local language (Tamil) made communication easier. It is really heartwarming, to see patients looking forward to my visits to the hospital. While in Mumbai, I was a visiting volunteer at B.Y.L. Nair Hospital and Cama & Albless Hospital. Talking to the patients and their family members, doctors and other staff, distribution of Complan and other health foods to the patients were some of my responsibilities."

Some of their initial activities were:

  • To celebrate the opening of CPAA Chennai, Rose Day seemed like the perfect opportunity. There was an inaugural ceremony on 22nd September 2008, in association with the Paterson Cancer Center, this event was sponsored by Indian Overseas Bank and got a great media response as it was telecast in Tamil News Channel (Doordarshan) and written about in leading Tamil News Papers.

  • World Breast Cancer Awareness Month- CPAA Chennai conducted a free awareness and early detection camp for 70 women at Hindu Mission Hospital, Tambaram. This program too was with the help and support of Paterson Cancer Center.

  • Cancer Care – the Chennai branch represented CPAA in Cancer Care’s Annual General Body Meeting held in Chennai organised by CANSTOP on 7th November 2008.

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