KOZHIKODE: ‘Hope’ is a house located at Kovoor near Kozhikode Government Medical College. It emits a ray of hope to many children suffering from cancer. Not just them but their entire family get a shelter and mental relief. This home is a concept envisaged by an NRI from Kozhikode, Haris Kattakath, who himself had passed through a stage of agony when his son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 2.
For him, providing a proper treatment was not a big task. But financial implications of paediatric cancer is astounding. “Parents often sell everything they own, to treat their child. At times even that is not enough, and they watch their child die. There is no pain greater than that,” he said. Hope now has more than 20 children suffering cancer and their entire families. It provides all kind of medical aid including psychological support to families as well as children to help them fight.
It has an expert medical team, avails of government medical aid, and offers diagnostic services and financial assistance. "From experience, I know the day of the diagnosis of your child’s cancer is the worst for a parent. No matter whom you are, your whole world turns upside down and a sense of utter helplessness takes over," he said. "Till death, a good portion of my family’s life will be for these children." Hope plans more such homes as it has some 30 children and family awaiting its call.
