Bengaluru: A team of six students from Mallya Aditi International School have raised Rs 6.2 lakh through their unique initiative Bounce Back, a sports event, and the proceeds went to Samiksha Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides non-medical care to children undergoing cancer treatment at Kidwai Memorial Hospital.
“I think non-medical care is very important, as important as medicines, in the healing process. Being a cancer survivor myself I know this well,” said Mahika Khosla (17), a 11th standard student and the brain behind the initiative.
The Samiksha Foundation provides educational support to young underprivileged cancer survivors. They organise classes, provide textbooks and stationery and organise recreational activities such as yoga, dance classes for the well being of these children. “To those who cannot afford to go back to school after months of treatment, this is a great way to stabilize,” said Mahika.
About seven years ago, Mahika was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer of soft tissue, which affects the joints on the limbs and the neck.
“I had a tumour on my left forearm, the radiation and chemo went on for about eight months, which was followed by surgery that lasted 23 hours,“ she said. A sports enthusiast, who loves basketball and football.
“I played after my surgery. It was at this time that my mom and I started volunteering at Samiksha. I realised that I could do something to help by combining my network and my love for sports, this is when the idea of Bounce Back came about.”
Bounce Back organised a sports meet recently to raise cancer awareness and funds. “The response was overwhelming. We expected to raise around Rs 4 lakh, but collected more than Rs 6 lakh,” said Mahika.
