We have come a long way from its initiation in 1998. As we interacted with women from diverse spheres, our goals got mapped and steadily got integrated into our various programmes.

Our journey began with simple tasks to support women who were juggling various roles through interactive workshops and forums and support groups.

Today, we Women from PASSAGES have matured with the organisation and our individual life journeys.

All this has been possible only through the commitment, dedication and continuous support of all our friends and families.

Through the years, through my association with like-minded women at Passages workshops and events, I acquired some wisdom, which I would like to share with you to ponder:

I am grateful for having participated with Passages and its members and the innumerable continuous opportunities for growth and contribution. I salute the women who have acted as mirrors and helped me in my transformation through the years.

Look forward to your participation.

Kaya Shewakramani

Working closely with Dr. Dilip Nikam, Head of Radiation Oncology at the Cama & Albless Mother & Child Hospital, we have started the above project with the view to see a patient from the lower income or lower middle-income group right through her treatment, from illness to wellness. As you are aware, we have been giving financial assistance to several patients over the years. This year too, from 1.4.2012 to date, we have disbursed financial assistance to thirteen patients to the tune of Rs. 2, 22,500/-. This is apart from what we are doing at Cama Hospital. We realised that there are a few really needy patients who go through the treatment when they receive help from some charitable organisation, then discontinue the treatment when funds are not available. This prompted us to start the Adopt-a-Patient from Illness to Wellness project at Cama Hospital.

Under this project, we have undertaken to help three patients, so far. (a) Mrs. X, 48 years old, has three daughters, two of whom are studying. She has breast cancer with bone metastasis. (b) Mrs. Y’s husband works as an auto-rickshaw driver. They have three children of whom one is married. The other two are studying.

She is a patient of Ca Uterus with Liver metastasis. (c) Mrs. Z, 50 years of age, suffers from Ca Ovary. She is unaware of the diagnosis as yet. Her nephew has signed the documents for her treatment, as she has no family of her own. Her husband died ten years ago of heart attack. She lost both her children. She had been working doing house jobs till her illness. Her six cycles of chemotherapy alone will cost around Rs.60,000/-. Apart from this there will be expenses on taking care of side effects of chemotherapy, as well as costs on further treatment such as radiation, etc., if any.

The expenses are closely monitored and made on a need basis directly to the pharma involved, through Dr. Dilip Nikam. We are maintaining a record and all documentation and records are also being maintained at the hospital.

As you can see, this project requires us to have funds available because we have committed to seeing the patient through the entire treatment. We appeal to your generous hearts to support us in this endeavour and will gratefully acknowledge and receive the help given by you.