Now, an initiative for higher education scholarship for childhood cancer survivors in India

New Delhi: A kid suffering from a deadly disease like cancer is the worst thing that can happen to a family. With kids who are already suffering from cancer go through a big deal that you and me can never imagine. With things like these already around, its important to be a candle of hope that can lighten up their somewhat difficult world. Some people are hope. And they strive to spread light around without even a second thought especially when they have themselves been in darkness for so long. Meet Kapil Chawla, working for Kidscan Konnect the Survivor Group of Cankids, who has taken the initiative of introducing a special scholarship for cancer survivors named CanKids Kapil Chawla Cancer Survivor Helping Survivor Fund for Vocational/Higher Education. Going by its elaborate name, Kapil makes sure that only the name is enough to explain what the concept is about. The scholarship as introduced last year but this time, they will be providing scholarships to 20 cancer survivors.   Kidscan Konnect, has been facilitating the process for survivors who could not continue education due to the poor economic status of their family. The Survivors have realised that a major chunk of the amount parents have already spent on the treatment and after care services of their children. In this juncture to make more investment is beyond the capacity of the family/parents. But this situation cannot make the child self reliant and makes him/her unable to lead a successful life. In the end, to complete basic education and pursue higher education remains at stake. Kapil Chawla Kapil Chawla himself is a cancer survivor, and was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2005. At that time he was pursuing higher education, and was in the final year of graduation in Mass Communications. He was cured in 2006 and at present he has already worked successfully for 5yrs in Films and Media industry. Presently, he takes care of CEPAA (Communication, Education, Public Awareness and Advocacy) department in CanKids, and has devoted 3yrs of his life over here, and is continuing to do so. Kapil Chawla said “The aim of this scholarship is to encourage cancer survivors to pursue professional courses, and be successful in their professional life and support other cancer survivors. It aims to form a chain, through which we can eradicate the stigma attached to it, and at the same time help cancer survivors.”   The purpose Explaining why he chose to introduce this concept, Chawla says, “There is always a stigma attached with cancer, and those who get cured don’t want to disclose to anyone about it. Apart from this all the money is spent on the treatment, and there is not much left to pursue higher education. The need of the project is to open up opportunities for the cancer survivors and make them self reliant in life so that they earn their own living. The scope of employment is reduced as they are not provided with equal opportunities. This chance of getting established in life is reduced if these children find difficulty to continue higher education for whichever reason may be financial or due to less score in their result. Most of the survivors do not continue education as their financial status is a hindrance for continuing education. Therefore there is a need to foster the education of these children through sponsorship or under sharing process. The right to education of every child will be fulfilled through this project.”   Eye Cancer Survivor Pankaj Yadav who is an IITian got scholarship from CanKids Kapil Chawla Cancer Survivor Helping Survivor Fund who cracked IIT twice and currently pursuing Bio Technology from IIT, Delhi got CanKids higher education Scholarship (Rs. 50,000). There were 10 others who got similar scholarships. The idea behind the initiative is to support the education of the young cancer patients and survivors from lower strata of the society and help them in securing their future.   Naveen Paswan Also, Naveen Paswan, a cancer survivor from Delhi who is pursuing a course in pathology got a scholarship last year happily says, “My father is a sculptor and many a times there were problems in the expenses. The earnings were not sufficient for our family and we needed money for my treatment too. Then I came across Kidscan who offered me this scholarship. I am very happy that they came forward and helped” Harsh Bakshi, is also a cancer survivor from Mumbai who benefitted from Kidscan fund in which he got scholarship for pursuing his B(Tech)in engineering is now working with Infosys.   This year they will be giving scholarships to 20 cancer survivors, and the eligibility criteria for this scholarship is:

• The applicant should be a childhood cancer survivor

 

• Should be class 12pass from a recognized school/college. (Copy of certificate / mark sheet required)

 

• Take admission in vocational or professional course (course and fee details or brochure of the institute required)

 

• Minimum family income should be less than 20,000 per month. (an undertaking from father or any other responsible person).

 

• Total financial support will not exceed Rs. 50,000/annum for maximum 3years

 

• The financial support will continue only if the applicant submits his/her progress report every 6months (after each semester)

 

• Lack of attendance, poor performance or failure, except on account of medical reasons, would result in the scholarship being cancelled

  The project aims to open up opportunities for Childhood Cancer Survivors which will help them move ahead, achieve something, and become independent in all spheres of life.   People who are interested for the scholarship may contact: info@cankidsindia.org or directly phone at 9953591578.   Childhood cancer survivors go out and shine because here’s someone to take care of you!