THE BACKGROUND
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that leads to an excessive destruction of red blood cells which leads to anemia.
Every year approximately 100,000 children with Thalassemia Major are born around the world, of which 10,000 are born in India. Children with Thalassemia require lifelong blood transfusions, as often as every three weeks and daily dose of medicines to help them try and lead a normal life. There are so many children from underprivileged families who cannot afford the expenses for treatments.
THE SOLUTION
For over 3 decades, Bangalore Medical Services Trust has been supporting Thalassemia patients by giving blood transfusions as a day-care service. All the medical services provided by BMST are world-class and are made available free of cost to all the patients who come to their premises, seeking help. Each transfusion costs INR 3000.
IT TAKES JUST INR 3000 TO PROVIDE BLOOD TRANSFUSION TO A PATIENT.
ABOUT ME & THIS CAMPAIGN
My name is Chirag Gandhi and I am a member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore DISHA.
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder which causes abnormal haemoglobin levels for the patient. This renders the red blood cells to be fragile and destroyed. Hence, these patients require blood transfusions every 3-4 weeks.
Healthcare is a basic necessity which should be available to everyone irrespective of their financial condition. There are so many children suffering from lifelong deadly diseases like Thalassemia. Most of these children are from less fortunate families and cannot afford treatments.
I have undertaken this campaign because I believe this initiative will transform the lives of Thalassemia patients from low income homes. It just costs INR 3000 to provide blood transfusion to a patient and help them lead a normal life.
Please support my campaign and together we can help make a difference to their lives by funding their blood transfusions.
LOCATION
ABOUT THE NGO
Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST) is a not for profit Public Charitable Trust established by Rotary Club of Bangalore and TTK Group of Companies in 1984 to provide the blood banking services. The day-care transfusion facility that caters to Thalassemia patients has been in operation since 1991 and the control and prevention program was started in the year 2010.
The objectives of the Thalassemia control program is to:
- Improve the management of patients undergoing blood transfusions
- Enable screening and genetic counseling for first and second-degree relatives of Thalassemia patients in Karnataka.
The following are taken care at BMST to ensure the patients receive the best treatment & service:
- Free blood
- Free screening services which include testing for complete blood count, Haemoglobin, antibody screening, etc
- Use of saline washed red cells which reduces reaction after transfusion
ABOUT ROTARY BANGALORE DISHA
Rotary Bangalore Disha is the newest club part of RI District 3190. It was formulated during the pandemic and though they haven't met too often yet, it's 20 strong members are determined to give back to the community. The members are a great mix of experience and youth from diverse communities and regions. The club has already started working on community service projects like providing ration kits to migrant labourers, gloves and masks during the pandemic.
The flagship project of the club is to help build awareness as well as commit for the treatment of pediatric thalassemia for the under-privelged. Thalassemia is a painful genetic blood disorder where an individual suffering from this requires blood transfusion every 3 weeks. India is the thalassemia capital of the world and is the need of the hour to spread more awareness and help those in need. We are partnering here with BMST on the same, who has been a pioneer in this field.
ABOUT ROTARY BANGALORE INDIRANAGAR
Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting changes in communities at home and abroad. For over 110 years, the Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar along with its members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, they are committed to always working to better our world.
ABOUT TTK
The TTK Group is an Indian business conglomerate with a presence across several segments of the industry including consumer durables, pharmaceuticals and supplements, bio-medical devices, maps and atlases, consular visa services, virtual assistant services and health care services. The TTK Group was started in 1928 by T. T. Krishnamachari and is largely owned by the family.
TAX BENEFITS
By funding this campaign, you are eligible for tax breaks as BMST is a registered NGO & you can avail benefits under section 80G of the IT act. Foreign funding is also accepted.
FAQs
Will we get to know the details of the people who benefitted?
Yes, you will get basic information about how many people were funded and when, while respecting their PRIVACY. After the money has been collected it will be transferred by Fueladream to BMST. It will take around 15 days to get details of who the beneficiary was. BMST can share the personal details of the beneficiaries only if they give written consent Otherwise at least details like numbers, the age of the patient and so on can be shared. Once the information is received from the team at BMST it will be updated in the campaign. You will then get an alert & can read details about the beneficiaries.
When do I get the receipts?
It takes up to 2 weeks after the campaign is closed for the monies to be transferred. The receipts will start getting processed about 4 to 6 weeks AFTER the campaign is closed and will be sent to you directly.
How does crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding in India is a relatively new concept & is growing very quickly.
It’s a concept that allows a large number of funders (like you) to fund an idea or a cause or event by giving small amounts of money online. Fueladream.com is a crowdfunding platform in India that allows for such pooling of funds.
You can fund innovations & ideas on FuelADream and be the first to get these products or make them come true. You can also do a good turn by funding charities and causes through crowdfunding. When you fund a charity it’s more like a donation & you get small innovative rewards like a shout-out on an FB page or a thank you email from the beneficiaries.
