In this fast-moving world, it’s easy to get caught up in the parties and holidays. Luckily for me, one of my friends reminded me of this. He couldn’t come out one night as he was preparing to launch a CSR initiative that his company had worked on for new mothers. Thus, my New Year’s resolution for 2014: do more charity.
As I searched for the right organisation to volunteer for, I remembered a family friend, the owner of Gallery Art & Soul, Tarana Khubchandani and her venture, Passages. Tarana went through breast cancer at a time when it was not considered kosher to talk about the disease. After surviving, she made it her mission to speak about breast cancer and help others less fortunate than her and hence Passages was born.
In 2000, Passages started a Cancer Health programme that included a telephonic help line, breast cancer awareness camps, medicine bank and funding of treatment for needy patients.
On January 26, Passages is hosting The Pink Filly Event, a fund-raiser for the Cancer Health Programme at the Palladium Hotel. At the event, a limited edition collection of horse heads designed especially by renowned sculptor Arzan Khambatta will be on sale. Renowned artists such as Satish Gupta, Paresh Maity, Bose Krishnamachari, Brinda Miller, Sujata Bajaj, Jatin Das, Jayasri Burman, have all worked on Arzan’s horse sculptures in their individual artistic styles.
Passages has also tied up with renowned designers Shivan & Narresh, who will have an installation of their mastectomy blouse at the event. Shivan & Narresh launched their mastectomy blouse in 2013 for recovering cancer patients. An important part of the rehabilitation process is to get back into society feeling comfortable in your own skin. S&N have found a way to help with just that. As the blouse is not affordable for everyone, Passages has committed to buying 50 blouses for their patients. Additionally, people can purchase the blouses for donation on the Shivan & Narresh website.
Lastly, remember the single most important act to reduce the probability of advanced breast cancer is the Breast Self Exam.