We were moved by the plight of patients: NGO

A bundle of old newspapers may mean a new lease of life for someone in dire need far away. A group of energetic volunteers are going to apartments, hotels and offices asking not for money, but for old newspapers to mobilise funds for dialysis for poor patients.

Businessman C.V. Sundresh, secretary of Arpana Seva Samsthe, an NGO started in 2008 by a group of philanthropists, said: “Over the years, we were moved by the plight of patients who had asked us for help for dialysis and realised that this was a recurring expenditure. People could not afford dialysis but still had to undergo it twice or thrice a week. So we decided to mobilise funds only to fund dialysis. End-stage renal failure patients have to spend at least Rs. 6,000 a month for dialysis apart from other medication.”

He said, “The money we get from newspaper drives may not be much, but we are spreading awareness on kidney health and the drive also helps us get commitment for individual cases.”

The organisation, which has 40 members and 60 volunteers and sponsors 1,000 dialysis a year, has tied up with Bangalore Kidney Foundation, which shortlists deserving patients.

T.N. Lakshmiprasad (39), who used to work in a private firm, travels five hours, twice a week, from Yagati village in Kadur taluk of Chikkamagaluru district to Bengaluru for his dialysis.

“Private hospitals are expensive and government hospitals are not always equipped with technicians and doctors, which is why I prefer coming to Bengaluru. The organisation, over the past seven years, has funded nearly 100 dialysis,” he said.

Those who want to donate newspapers can call 9845201563.