Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Mar 25: The department of Paediatric Oncology at Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, in collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, organised "Fulfilling Wishes – Bringing Smiles" at Dr T M A Pai Halls, KMC Manipal, on March 25.
The event brought joy to children undergoing cancer treatment by fulfilling their heartfelt wishes. This special initiative aimed to spread happiness among young patients and their families, offering them a moment of relief amidst their challenging journey.
Children above the age of three received gifts of their choice, including bicycles, toys, smartphones, smartwatches, LED TVs, carrom boards, doctor kits, and more. The gifts were distributed by the chief guests of the day – Kannada and Tulu film actor Karthik Attavar and comedian Gilli Nata (Nataraj).
Actor Karthik Attavar, addressing the gathering, shared, “I wished to be an actor, and I worked hard to achieve it. After coming here, I feel like I have gained a family. When my parents took me to the dentist, they gave me a wish. Similarly, this initiative brings happiness to these children by fulfilling their wishes. Everyone must have a wish, and I will always support such programmes.”
Comedian Gilli Nata (Nataraj) added, “It brings me immense joy to see smiles on these children's faces. When I was a child, I suffered from jaundice, and with the help of doctors and medicines, I recovered. Everyone faces hardships, but I believe every child here will overcome them and succeed.”
A B Bosco, representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation India (Bengaluru Chapter), provided insights into the organisation’s mission. “Many children dream of becoming police officers, and we have dressed them as commissioners, giving them the same honours. These wishes are not their final wishes. One child in the ICU wished to play carrom, so we gave him a carrom board. Soon after, he was out of the ICU and playing. These gifts play a significant role in recovery,” he explained.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Vasudeva Bhat, professor and head of Paediatric Oncology at Kasturba Hospital, who provided an overview of the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Children have their own wishes, but during treatment, they often cannot fulfil them. Such programmes focus on mental and emotional well-being. The Make-A-Wish Bangalore Chapter has been instrumental in helping us—last year, 25 children received their gifts, and this year, 50 children have benefitted. Some children wished to meet celebrities, and the organisation made it happen.”
During the event, 50 children undergoing treatment at the hospital were presented with gifts worth over Rs 7 lac, fulfilling wishes that brought them moments of happiness and emotional strength. These thoughtful gestures are part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s commitment to supporting children battling life-threatening conditions.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a globally recognised non-profit organisation dedicated to granting wishes to seriously ill children. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the foundation operates through 58 chapters in the United States and has expanded to over 50 countries through international affiliates. The Bengaluru chapter distributes around 110 gifts to children every month. In India, the organisation was established in Mumbai in 1997 and later expanded to Bengaluru the same year.
Through CSR initiatives, the foundation has fulfilled wishes of children, including meetings with renowned personalities like actor Sudeep, Puneeth Rajkumar, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
The event left a lasting impact on both the children and attendees, reinforcing the importance of kindness, empathy, and community support in the fight against illness. This collaboration between Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kasturba Hospital stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of children in need.
The programme was compered by Dr Swathi, while Dr Emine A Rahiman delivered the vote of thanks.
Among the dignitaries present were Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital Manipal; Dr Anand Venugopal, chief operating officer, teaching hospital MAHE Manipal; Dr Padmaraj Hegde, dean, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, and several others.