Launch of Helpline and Website of PMMF
Guest of Honour Dr Armida Fernandez, Founder Trustee SNEHA & Medical Director, Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai had launched the helpline 7798801011 and the website www.pmmfgoa.com on July 14th, 2015 at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji-Goa.
In her address to the gathering of special invitees, board of directors, well-wishers & media Dr Armida stressed on the felt need for counselling and awareness in childhood cancer as the incidence was on the rise and chances of survival high with the advancement of chemotherapy and other modalities of therapy provided treatment was initiated early.
At the outset, Mr Cesar Menezes, Chairman, Wallace Pharmaceuticals warmly welcomed the dignitaries, media and guests and thanked one and all for their support to the Foundation.
Dr Divya Menezes, Paediatrician and then Medical Advisor, Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation (PMMF) shared experiences of the family’s deep involvement with the foundation from 1981 onwards.
Dr Philomena D’Souza, then Consultant Director of the PMMF, traced the history of the Foundation from its inception till 2015, a journey of 34 years. She introduced four of the Foundation patients who had graced the function with their presence: Olina (married, came with her husband and daughter); Jayant (a young man who is a sales manager with a two wheeler company, accompanied by his mother); Siddhi (a bubbly college student, accompanied by her father and youngest sibling) & Ashutosh (who has then completed his first year’s therapy, accompanied by his sister).
The then Dean, Goa Medical College, Dr Pradip Naik emphasized that the Government of Goa was, at that time, providing all cancer medications, free of cost, to patients through Goa Medical College but due to a shortage of counsellors, the awareness and counselling of patients was minimal. He had felt that the PMMF should fill in this gap with information and counselling services and continue its collaborative work with the Department of Paediatrics of Goa Medical College.
The short interactive session with the audience covered queries on the known causes of cancer and the role of alternate therapies in the treatment of cancer.
Ms Rashmi Menezes, Trustee, Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation and Joint Managing Director, Wallace Pharmaceuticals, proposed a heartfelt vote of thanks to each one involved with the organization of the programme launch.
(A shorter version of this article appeared in the Navhind Times on 21 July 2015 and can be accessed online on https://www.navhindtimes.in/2015/07/21/magazines/buzz/goa-gets-a-cancer-helpline/)
The helpline number 7798801011 has been discontinued and is not operational anymore.
Foundations of Care
By Navhind Times – 2015-10-18
Dealing with life threatening illnesses like cancer, thalassemia and HIV can be draining, both financially and emotionally.Sometimes it can be really distressing for the family as well, especially when a child is affected. Helping families in this situation and giving them respite are two foundations that work relentlessly for the cause. NT Network speaks to the people behind the Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation as also to the Make a Wish Foundation about their work
Janice Rodrigues | NT Network
Cancer and other life threatening illnesses are increasingly being diagnosed in children. Childhood is often spent in visits to hospitals, diagnostic tests and treatment. The battle for survival is seen every day in hospitals that care for such patients. The gloom of the illness is seen on the faces of the family as well as the children. Two Foundations based in the sunshine state of Goa have been working for the past couple of decades bringing solace to suffering children and their families. The Make a Wish Foundation – India Chapter and the Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation have worked towards that end
Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation
Helping children in their battle against cancer, the PMMF has been trying to bring relief in place of pain. The Foundation was registered on December 21, 1981 in memory of six year old Prateek Menezes, who inspired his family during his valiant battle against cancer to reach out to the other children suffering from cancer. During his treatment at the Tata Memorial hospital Prateek had encountered several children and he quickly realised that they were not as privileged as him financially. And in his own little ways he would reach out to help these children.
Back in 1981, the Foundation undertook the responsibility to first and foremost help the paediatric department understand the management of the disease. This could be done only because of the support and coordination with Medical Oncologist SH Advani from Tata Memorial Hospital and Research Centre. Advani came to Goa and held seminars for the state’s branch of the Indian Medical Association and held workshops with the paediatric department of GMC. He thereafter personally trained thepaediatric team of GMC at Tata Memorial over a long period of time. This was the initial thrust and today GMC with the full
understanding from the government has all the professionalism required in this area.
Prateek had a vibrant imagination and during the time that he received treatment, he occupied his mind with drawing and coloured his thoughts through his paintings. He continued drawing while in therapy and between sessions. The more immersed he got in this form of expression, the clearer his ideas crystallised. He optimised his own talent towards achieving the goal of helping children by raising funds through the sale of his little drawings.
Preserving most of his drawings – some on plain pieces of paper, some just scribbles, some completed, some incomplete; family and friends then decided to print his drawings on greeting cards for sale. This helped raise the seed money for thefoundation in line with Prateek’s thoughts. The cards were promoted among family and friends across the globe and his aim
was fulfilled on his own terms.
The knowledge that cancer is a financially draining disease is what made the Menezes family reach out to those who are economically poor. The foundation created a comprehensive treatment module for children who suffer from cancer. The moduleincludes diagnostics, specialisedinvestigations, chemotherapy and other drugs, nutrition and dietary supplements, hygiene, alltreatment costs in Tata Memorial, local transport for check-ups, etc. The PMMF only works with children who are present atGMC and coordinates with Tata Memorial. The five-bedded paediatric oncology wing in the GMC was set up by the
Foundation to provide optimal care for the patients within the state.
The knowledge that cancer is a financially draining disease is what made the Menezes family reach out to those who are economically poor. The foundation created a comprehensive treatment module for children who suffer from cancer. The moduleincludes diagnostics, specialisedinvestigations, chemotherapy and other drugs, nutrition and dietary supplements, hygiene, alltreatment costs in Tata Memorial, local transport for check-ups, etc. The PMMF only works with children who are present atGMC and coordinates with Tata Memorial. The five-bedded paediatric oncology wing in the GMC was set up by the
Foundation to provide optimal care for the patients within the state.
The Foundation also hosts recreational activities for the children, from annual get-togethers to art and other creative workshops. It also does remarkable work with the follow ups, not only of children in active treatment but also with those in remission, as well as children who have been cured and are now young adults. The foundation has been relentlessly trying to bridge the gap between underprivileged and quality cancer care. In an attempt to reach out to people who have cancer and require the assistance, the Foundation has set up aknowledge-based website and a helpline, with consultations at the Menezes Polyclinic at
Althino, Panaji. Providing healthcare, aiding patients in their lives, bringing a smile to their faces through the work they do, the
PMMF is certainly taking Prateek’s legacy ahead.
DMA AWARDS to Wallace Pharma for PMMF
IDMA Award to Wallace Pharmaceuticals for the support given to Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation (PMMF)
In 2016-17, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) had awarded the prestigious IDMA Corporate Citizen Award (with KPMG as the knowledge partner) to Wallace Pharmaceuticals for the support given to Prateek Menezes Memorial Foundation (PMMF). We are sharing below the message of Executive Director of Wallace Pharmaceuticals, Mr Vinay Pinto, that was addressed to all employees, on the occasion of the receipt of the award.
