''Snehaanchal'' helps cancer patients meet a peaceful end

But it required dedicated team of persons to run the Centre. Rana approached the Archbishop of Nagpur, AbrahamViruthkulangara and then Parish Priest of SFS Cathedral Rev FrGlen Mascrenas, for roping in nuns to run the Centre. Finally,three runs were deputed to run the Centre and it was finallyinaugurated in August 2006.

The condition for admission in the Centre is acommendation from doctors that the patient''s medical treatmentis stopped and he/she is not responding to it. About 80percent of the patients here are sent by RST Cancer Hospital.

"You require spiritually driven persons (nuns) to takecare of the end (of life) with extra energy and patience totalk to and convince the dying sufferers. The nuns, led by RevSr Mary, two of the trained medical nurses and a qualifiedsocial worker (MSW) counsel them to forget and forgive in thename of God and breathe their last," Rana said.

A special room has been created when the patient is aboutto die in three-four hours. All the relatives are allowed toaround the patient and pray.

On resources, he said though they have got income taxexemption under section 80 G but as of now, friends, relativesand family members are pouring help.

"We have not approached service clubs like Lions, Rotaryor Public sector companies yet for seeking financial help, whohave provisions under corporate social responsibility (CSR)for funding," he said.

Despite his business commitments, Rana visits twice aweek the shelter and spends quiet time with 25-bed Centre. PTIJOE