THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 170 school and college-going children of cancer patients were given financial assistance and educational kits by a city-based healthcare charity, Care Plus, at an event here on Friday.
The aid is the latest in a series of education-support initiatives undertaken by Care Plus, which provides home care for poor palliative care patients of the Regional Cancer Centre, over the past decade.
The organisation has been providing assistance to the children of cancer patients from across the state and from the neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu to pursue their studies up to graduation-level.
At Snehasparsham 2012, an event organised by Care Plus at the Juhanon Marthoma Study Centre, Mannanthala, 170 students from various schools in the state studying in classes ranging from UKG to professional courses were presented with educational kits and financial assistance by K Ramdas, Medical Superintendent of Regional Cancer Centre, here.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramdas commended Care Plus for the charity work being done by it.
He also urged the children to spread the message on the need for lifestyle changes to fight against cancer, such as avoiding junk food and keeping away from tobacco products, particularly pan masala, which is the main cause of oral cancer.
Care Plus, which was founded in 2003, also provides assistance to education, meeting the home needs of poor patients as well as providing them with medicines and other local assistance.
George Varghese, president of Care Plus, welcomed the gathering and Cherian Philip, secretary, presented the report on the activities of Care Plus during the past year.