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Imagine standing outside a busy hospital, seeing a mother crying while holding her children. She was struggling to gather money for their treatment. I saw this while waiting for my chemotherapy, and it changed my life. In her tears, I saw the pain of many others who are suffering in silence. That moment made me promise to turn my pain into purpose—to help the hungry and suffering so no one has to face their struggles alone.
In 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Chemotherapy made me weak and scared, and I lost my hair. But while I was fighting my battle, I noticed something even more heartbreaking—patients and their families sitting outside the hospital, tired and hungry. My father always told me to ease others' pain whenever I could, and his words stayed with me.
With my brother Abhishek and sister-in-law Nitu, I started cooking meals at home to give to those hungry families. It wasn’t easy. We had limited resources, and I was still going through treatment. But the smiles of the people we helped gave me strength. In July 2021, we started Apurva - The Helping Hand Foundation, named after my daughter. Our goal was simple: to provide food and care to those in need.
Today, Apurva serves over 400 meals every day. Since we started, we’ve provided more than 10 lakh free meals to over 7 lakh patients and their families. We also give out medicines, blankets, and medical equipment. Good food doesn’t just fill stomachs—it brings hope and helps in recovery during tough times like chemotherapy.
I’ll always remember a little boy with cancer whose birthday we celebrated at the hospital. We brought him a cake and toys, and for a moment, his laughter replaced the hospital sounds. Moments like these keep me going. My daughter and I believe that helping others is the best way to stay strong and make life meaningful.
Hunger is a pain I’ve seen up close and it’s as relentless as disease itself
Hunger is as painful as disease. While we’re feeding hundreds of people, thousands more are waiting for help. It costs just ₹25 to provide a meal to one person. Our monthly expenses are ₹6,32,000, and with your help, we can serve 1,000 meals every day and give healthy supplements to boost immunity. My dream is to open a free cancer hospital where patients can get treatment, food, and shelter without worrying about money.
This is my promise to my daughter, Apurva, and to everyone who inspires me every day. Together, we can ensure that no one fighting cancer has to fight hunger, too. Even a small donation can bring hope and change lives.
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EIN 20-5139364
