CHENNAI: The 14th edition of the annual fundraising music concert ‘Sangarsh’ organised by the Rotaract Club of CEG, Anna University, was an evening to remember. The concert, for the cause of paediatric acute leukemia, was an eye-opener about the disease as the awareness about it is very low, said a Rotary member. The funds will be used to create awareness about paediatric leukemia in association with Ray of Light Foundation, Nungambakkam, and the children affected with this variation of blood cancer will be able to get therapy and medication.
“We are happy to host this concert. We want to raise more awareness about acute leukemia and hope people will understand that it is curable if treated at the right time,” said Vignesh, secretary of the Rotaract Club of CEG.
The fundraiser saw the participation of singers including Malavika, Jithin Raj, Nivas K Prasanna, Manasi, Kowshik, Kamalaja and Vandana, who performed along with AD and the Band. The artists regaled the audience with songs like, Tum Hi Ho, Thangamey and other chartbuster numbers. An AR Rahman medley by the singers received a thunderous applause from the audience. Jithin Raj said, “I am glad to a part of this event. We are here for a good cause and to be a part of it is satisfying.”
Dr Mohammed Mohiuddin (with the Ray of Light Foundation) said, “Cancer can be treated, but we need resources. We need more people to come forward and help.” The Ray of Light project has helped over 175 children and in 2014, a fundraising project raised over `2 crore. “We have a tie up with Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital and we are doing our best to support these beautiful children,” he added.
Actor Shakthi, who was also at the event, said, “It’s sad that children get affected with this type of cancer. I want to thank the Rotaract Club of CEG for inviting me and will be a part of this cause and others they work for in future.”
Upon request, the actor performed for the song Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan with the band. VJ Rio of Sun Music kept the audience in splits by anchoring the musical event.