The Blood Donation camp held on the 23rd Sep 2010 went off well. The camp was held in the campus of QMC College with the help of the Rotaract Club
there.

President Rtn. Rajie welcomed the gathering explaining the cause and the state wide campaign carried out by Rotary.
Secretary Rtn. Shreelekha thanked all those who had volunteered

Mementos was presented to Dr. Subhash who led the Blood Bank team and to Ms. Loganayaki teaching staff of QMC who had coordinated the camp. Ms Shambavi Rotracter of QMC was thanked for good efforts that had gone to make the camp a success.

The blood bank team arranged through Dr. Shriram (courtesy Rtn. Krishnachander) arrived on time at 9.30 and set up things with great efficiency.

A great number of students turned out at the venue but many were turned down as they did not meet the strict requirements laid down by the Blood Bank viz. weight and health parameters. (Hopefully the increase in the number of eggs given with noon scheme will improve this in the future) Despite the high number of rejections (over 50) the blood bank managed 37 units.

Ann Hamsa led the way as the first donor. Rtn. Satish Jupiter, Rtn. Srikumar, Rtn. Prithviraj were the others from RCCT who donated blood. Rtn. Raaj graced the occassion.

Amongst others were two friends of Ann. Gita Dattari & Mr. Sudhi Kumar an assistant in Rtn. Prithvirajs office who also contributed to the number of units collected.

Rtn. Prasanna Shenoy of Rotary Club of Madras (with which the QMC Rotaract club is attached) graced the occasion. He also welcomed the idea of joint projects between the Rotaract Clubs of the respective clubs.

Date 25th September 2010, Saturday
Time 9.30 am
Venue Training Room, Ground Floor, Computer Age Management Services (CAMS)
Rayala Towers, Anna Salai (Near Spencer Plaza), Chennai 600 002.

Date September the 18th Saturday. Venue – Divine hope for the disabled premises at Anna Nagar.

- Distribution 10 kits of 4 kgs of plastic wires which is to be used for rewiring chairs.

- Distribution of sales kit each with an assortment of articles such as ear buds, Books for children, Mobile Pouches, ration card, Season ticket pouches etc which will be sold on suburban trains.

- 20 visually handicapped people’s direct beneficiaries of this project.

- Project value Rs. 12000/-

Rtn. Sagar, Rtn. Rajesh Trikha Rtn. Deepika and Rtn. Prithviraj were present.

RTn. Sagar addressed the gathering reminiscing on the long association that RCCT had with the Divine Hope for the handicapped the NGO that had coordinated the project. In the course of his address he asked the beneficiaries to leverage the opportunity to increase their daily income and overcome the handicap that they are living with.

An inspiring speech in chaste Tamil that seemed to be well received by those present.

Amongst the persons in the gathering was an earlier beneficiary who said that the kits helped those around 3000 rs a month a small but considerable sum for one with no better means. Add to the fact that this gave him a vocation which otherwise meant he had to beg for a living.

Rtn. Rajesh Trikha added a sweet surprise when he quickly procured 20 packets of sweets to be distributed amongst the beneficiary a gesture that was appreciated by the gathering. Thanks to Mr. Madhur Rtn. Trikhas nephew who at short notice went and fetched the sweet packets.

A request has come from the beneficiaries to examine setting up a vocational unit that can produce envelopes etc which will help create greater employment and a means of sustenance. Sagar responded by talking about the vocational training center for the blind set up last year and threw light on how they could benefit from it.

Mr. Samuel thanked the gathering lavishly praising RCCT for the support given through the years.

I have immense pleasure to share with all of you that we have funded for 6 heart surgeries of very poor and needy children under Mission Save Heart Save Child.

The Heartening Team comprising of :

Rtn. Rajie, Rtn. Shreelekha, Rtn. Prithvi, Rtn. Vijayakumar & Rtn. Dr.Sumedha have helped in the follow up and ensured that the children are benefitted with the treatment.

The details as below:

Master Siva 10 years old- Rs. 30,000/-… Diagonisis….congenital Heart disease- post op ventricular septal defect…Case referred by Shoba…follow up Rtn. Dr. Nandakuma (Rtn. Dr.Sumedha’s husband)…Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre.

Master Anand Arul Raj-14 years…Rs.20,000/- Diagonsis-congenital heart disease/tetralogy of fallot.(TOF)..Case referred by Satish Jupiter…. Meenakshi Mission Hospital

Ms.Adkammai.M..10 years- Rs.20,000….Diagonsis-Right Heart Disease, Mitral valve Prolapse, Severe MR.. Case referred by Capt Jayadevan….Lifeline Hospitals

Ms. A.Mani…15 years -Rs.20,000/- Diagnosis-TOF….Case referred by Capt Jayadevan..Lifeline Hopsitals

Ms. Manisha…. Age:8-Rs.20,00/-….Diagnosis-TOF with Severe PS….Case referred by Capt Jayadevan..Lifeline Hopsitals

Master S.Sathish Kumar, Age:8, Diagnosis: Muscular VSD with Severe MR…..Case referred by Capt Jayadevan…Lifeline Hopsitals

If any of you know any poor needy child who is diagonised with heart diseases and requires help please do forward the details to the Heartening Team.

This Project was born out of a dream by few enthusiastic and Active Rotarians of Rotary Club of Chennai Towers, who dreamt of providing health care services to the Children who suffer from chronic heart diseases. When we did the initial screening and survey, it was shocking to see that many parents did not even know that their child was suffering from a chronic heart ailment.

Child Heart Care is dedicated to the treatment of welfare of children belonging to the “below poverty line” segment. Children with complex and congenial heart diseases, mitral valve repair and other neo natal cardiac conditions undergo open heart surgeries which may cost upto Rs 200000 depending on the severity of the case, It is our endeavor to reach to reach out to the under privileged and help them lead a normal and productive life like any other child. We have tied up with Doctors and Hospitals which have State of the Art pediatric unit comprising of a dedicated cardiac surgeon, anesthetist, nurses with pediatric intensive care facilities perform the surgeries. A highly skilled, multidisciplinary team, whose members are extensively trained and experienced is dedicated exclusively to pediatric congenital heart surgery and treatment. The heart center offers every cardiac therapy available in pediatric medicine, and the care for each child is individualized. Motivated by the needs of our children, the goal of Rotary Club of Chennai Towers is to bring health, hope and happiness to children impacted by congenital heart defects. We accomplish this goal by funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects.

Rotary Club of Chennai Towers stands today as a testimony of the unstinted devotion and dedication of many of the Rotarians of our club. Almost every Rotarian of our club and their families contributed to its growth in one way or other. Not only are the Rotarians are dedicated professionals, they are drawn here because of a love for the children.

Did you know that India accounts for 54% of new leprosy cases detected globally? WHO statistics state that of the 254,000 new cases of Leprosy detected annually (2008). About 45% of these are women and nearly 15% children. Leprosy damages nerves in the hands, feet and face affecting muscle function and sensation causing tissue damage, ulcers and deformity.

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and can affect anyone who does not have the resistance to it. The irony is that it is one of the least infectious diseases and being bacterial in nature, can be treated relatively easily. Within 6 to 24 months of commencement of treatment, patients are completely cured.

But it is much more than a physical disease – it is a human rights issue leading to terrible social exclusion and injustice. They are not invited to weddings even by friends and family. They often lose their jobs. They cannot confidently get into public transportation or restaurants. Leprosy victims truly understand what Untouchability means.

What is Project Blossom?

Project Blossom aims to raise funds for reconstructive surgery for the leprosy afflicted.

Leprosy victims often have twisted and clawed hands, unblinking eyes and Foot drop – all visible signs of the disease. Surgery helps them open their hands, shut their eyes and lift their feet, and do things we take for granted like holding a cup of tea. Project Blossom hopes to help their lives blossom again as their hands open up like a flower in bloom.

Partner Organization – The Leprosy Mission India

1. Founded in 1874. One of the largest NGOs in India
2. 18 hospitals/ 1,170 beds
3. Over 1,200 reconstructive surgeries performed every year
4. Unique and high level of expertise in reconstructive surgeries
5. 4000 cataract surgeries performed annually
6. 6 Vocational Training Centers/ Over 20 Community Based Rehabilitation Projects

Expenditure Involved

1. Approximately Rs.15000 that includes
2. Surgery
3. In-patient stay for 3 to 4 weeks
4. Physiotherapy- Pre & Post Operative
5. Occupational therapy

Support from Rotarians and others has been very heartening and the first set of 21 surgeries was completed this month. Surgeries took place at TLM hospitals at Vadathorasalur, (near Ulundurpet) and Dayapuram (near Mana Madurai). Of these patients 12 were less than 35 years of age and three were less than 16 years of age. Surgeries performed corrected deformities of the hands, feet and eyes and will be followed by sustained physiotherapy and vocational therapy for the patients over the next 6 months. Dist 3230 hopes to perform 365 surgeries this year and help at least one life to blossom every day of the year.