Manipal, Apr 18 (TNN): Manipal Haemophilia Society, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, has organized a kite-flying festival on April 30, 2010 at End Point to create awareness on haemophilia and at the same time raise funds for patients suffering from the disease and those registered with the Society. The patients are from in and around Manipal, other districts of the state and northern Kerala and Goa also.
It is a different kind of a programme, not the usual run or walk for awareness, said Dr Annamma Kurien, president of the society, in a release. As most of the patients are poor, the society supports their needs by providing subsidized treatment and rehabilitation for those with joint deformities, she said.
"Since the treatment is very expensive, funds have to be raised and we hope to raise some money through this method, which we had successfully done a few years ago," Dr Kurien said and added that it costs more than Rs 10,000 for every injection administered when a patient is bleeding.
Today being `World Haemophilia Day,' the kites, specially brought from Gujarat, were formally opened for sale along with lucky dip coupons by the pro-chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal.
A total of 1,200 kites will be on sale from Saturday. Details can be obtained from one of the following: Sreejith G 9980959353, Niveditha Suvarna 9964317549, Annamma Kurien 9845821201, Manipal Haemophilia Society 0820- 2922763.
A set of two kites and a spool will cost Rs 100. It will also include a lucky dip coupon, sponsored by Wedding Palace, Udupi. Coupons are on sale independently also. The lucky draw is scheduled for April 30. And on the same day, Asha Kiran 2010, a camp for patients with hemophilia and their families will be conducted by the society free of cost. The camp will end on May 2, 2010.
About 100 participants are expected to attend the camp. There will be various activities like educative sessions, interactions, fun and games, picnics and so on. The venue of the camp is T A Pai EMHS Kunjibettu. The camp is supported by the Manipal University and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.