SPARSH NEWSOctober - December 2018

CHAIR CHAT

In the light of the new and bigger Sparsh Hospice building getting ready and will be fullyoperational early next year, we are constantly striving for improving our palliative care services andbeing more effective in serving the wider community. To this effect, we have broadened andstrengthened our Board by creating various Sub-Committees for better understanding theorganizational structure and to distribute various responsibilities among the Trust members.

During the Trust Meetings held in October, November and December 2018, the following Sub-Committees were formed to manage the Trust more effectively:

➢ Sparsh Standing Committee – Headed by Rtn Dr. Subrahmanyam (Founder and Long TermTrustee)

➢ Fund Raising Committee – Headed by Rtn. Mallikarjun (Trust President)➢ New Initiative Committee – Headed by Rtn. Dr. Pranathi Reddy & Rtn. Savidha Naidu (Trustee)➢ Financial & Investments Committee – Headed by Rtn. Anup Agarwal (Long Term Trustee and

Treasurer)➢ Building Committee – Headed by Rtn Manohar Reddy (Trustee)

Respective Heads of the above sub-committees will select 3-4 more members for each sub-committee by inviting Rotary Club members to join as per their interest and expertise andcommitment to contribute to the workings of the Trust.

PATIENTS STATISTICS

October November December Total

Admissions

In-patients

(new)

30 20 28 78

Re-Admissions 02 01 01 04

Total 32 21 29 82

In-Patients

Home-Care Patients

October November December Total

Home visits

New Patients 17 14 14 45

Revisits 25 29 28 82

Total 42 43 42 127

October November December NEW

REGISTERED

PATIENTS

Out-patients 8 6 6 20

Out-Patients

Total Patients Registered at Sparsh Hospice

October – December 2018

In-patients (new admissions) 78

Home-Care (new patients) 45

Out-patients 20

Total 143

Total Deaths & DischargesOctober – December 2018

Deaths 51

Discharges 28

Total 79

S. No. Type of Cancer No. of

Patients

S. No. Type of

Cancer

No. of

Patients1 Ca Liver 10 15 Ca Post

cricoid

1

2 Ca Buccal

mucosa

5 16 Osteo

sarcoma

1

3 Ca Rectum 2 17 Ca Hard

palate

1

4 Ca Prostate 1 18 Ca Vault 25 Ca Lung 3 19 Adeno

carcinoma

1

6 Ca Bladder 3 20 Ca Esophagus 17 Ca Ovary 5 21 Ca Cervix 38 Ca GBM 2 22 Ca Maxilla 19 Ewing sarcoma 1 23 Ca Rectum 1

10 Ca Breast 8 24 Ca

Endometrium

1

11 Ca Stomach 8 25 AML 112 Ca Tongue 3 26 CML 113 Ca Colon 2 27 HCC 314 RCC 4 28 Non-Cancer 3

Total - 78

In Appreciation of Sparsh Teamfor Home-Care Services

Our neighbour and home-care patient Dr. Malhar Rao and family hosted a lunch for all in-patients and staff atSparsh Hospice, in appreciation of the palliative care services received from Sparsh Team. We once again thankDr. Malhar Rao and family for the sumptuous lunch. We also thank all the other donors and patients’ families whohosted lunch on different occasions at Sparsh, in remembrance of and to celebrate the special days of their lovedones. If you too wish to host a lunch for all at Sparsh Hospice, write to us at info@sparshhospice.org for detailsand to book a date.

Dr. Malhar Rao and Mrs. Sukhada Rao

On behalf of Rotary Club of Banjara Hills Charitable Trust, we thank you all for supporting SparshHospice with your in-kind donations. These are greatly appreciated and important for our hospicecare services. Your generous giving ensures every patient is cared for and is provided the best careservices to keep them comfortable and happy.We accept in-kind donations of goods needed for patients and their attenders. If you wish to makea donation of groceries, fruits & vegetables, medical & surgical items, house-keeping material etc.,write to us at info@sparshhospice.org to learn about our requirement.

In-Kind Donations

An In-patient’s family donated grocery items –Cooking oil, Rice, Sugar, Dal, etc.

The Team from ‘Sneha Charitable Trust’ donated Bedsheets, under covers, adult diapers, cleaning agents, hand sanitizers,

mosquito repellent, room sprays, etc.

Special Visitors at Sparsh

Rtn. B.P. Padala, the Chairman of “RootsInternational School of Business andManagement" visited Sparsh to see the facilityand learn about palliative care services. Mr.Padala is a Senior Rotarian and he alsoexpressed interest in organizing workshops onpalliative care for his students and staff.

Ms Aabha Purohit, a classical singer from Maharashtra visitedSparsh along with her parents. She also sang few classical songs forthe patients to enjoy.

Ms. Sravani Gimkala, an Architecture student fromManipal visited Sparsh to study our hospice model.She then designed a hospice based on inputsreceived from Sparsh. It was selected as one of thebest designs and was exhibited at NIASA (NationalInstitute of Advanced Studies in Architecture)showcasing the best projects from all over India.

WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY

13TH Oct 2018

Mrs. Shanti Kumari, Principal Secretary, Health, Medical & Family Welfare, and Secretary CM’s Office, Govt ofTelangana was invited as the Chief Guest of the Day and Dr. Shashikala, Principal of Osmania Medical Collegewas the Guest of Honor. All donors and patients along with their families and friends were invited to theWorld Hospice and Palliative Care Day programme hosted at Sparsh Hospice on 13th October 2018. AllTrustees and several Rotary Club members also attended the programme. The purpose of this programmewas to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of people living with a life-limiting illness and theirfamilies. Several regional Newspapers covered the event.

WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY

MEDIA COVERAGE on 14th October 2018

Sakshi

Eenadu

Andhra Jyothi Telangana Today

Hindi Milap

As we work in harmony with othersimilar service providers, wecelebrated the World Hospice Day byvisiting the St. Jude’s Child CareCenter, which provides free pediatricpalliative care services. We distributedBiscuits, Cakes, Horlicks and Caps tothe children being served at theCenter.

WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY

13TH Oct 2018 (contd.)

CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS

Sevaa Dharmik Award 2018:Sparsh Hospice has been awardedthe Sevaa Dharmik Award by theLatha Raja Foundation on 8thOctober 2018 - “Felicitation forSelfless Service” to humanity. Inthe picture here can be seen ourCEO, Trust President and FounderTrustee receiving the award fromthe Founder of Latha RajaFoundation, Visakhapatnam.Video available here:https://youtu.be/44YplH9eFgk

We have been awarded the prestigious “GuideStar IndiaPlatinum Certificate” award for the fourth consecutive year inOctober 2018. We continue to be one among India’s largestpool of credible NGOs who undergo a rigorous due diligenceprocess to receive this certificate. GuideStar India’s PlatinumCertificate is the Champion Level Certification indicating thatcomprehensive transparency, accountability and goodgovernance procedures are adopted by our organisationhaving exemplary level of public disclosure.

Media coverage - Eenadu, Visakhapatnam

MORE MEDIA COVERAGE(October 2018)

Velugu - Telangana Regional Newspaper

12th October 2018

Mana Telangana -Regional Newspaper

20th October 2018

SPREADING AWARENESS

Mr. Vasanth, owner of Sri Sai Ambulance Services, a private ambulance services provider hasvolunteered to spread awareness about Sparsh Hospice by branding all his 4 vehicles with Sparshposters. They provide services to patients across Telangana.

AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING PROGRAMMES

Team Sparsh visited various organisations and also participated in public exhibitions for fund raisingand to spread awareness on palliative care and hospice services. The team visited KIMS Bibi CancerHospital and met with the Counsellor and patients’ families to talk about Sparsh services. We alsoparticipated in TREDA Property Show and NGO Exhibition at Microsoft Campus, Gachibowli.

At TREDA Property show, Hitex Exhibition Hall, Gachibowli

At the “IDC Giving” NGO Exhibition, Microsoft Campus, Gachibowli

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS Celebrating Special Days

Celebrating Head Nurse Sister Anusha’s Birthday

The moments of celebration make us pause and be mindful, and that boosts our well-being. Accordingto social psychology researcher Fred Bryant and others, when we stop to savor the good stuff, webuffer ourselves against the bad and build resilience—and even mini-celebrations can plump up thepositive emotions which make it easier to manage the daily challenges that cause major stress.

Celebrating Sister Narmada’s Birthday

Celebrating Counsellor Mrs. Sarada’s Birthday

Team from Robin Hood

Army came to celebrate Robin

Swathi’s birthday with

patients at Sparsh. Ms. Swathi also

hosted lunch for all.

SPIRITUAL & SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Celebrating Festivals

At Sparsh Hospice we celebrate all festivals with patients and their families. Festivals are a time forreflection, a time for appreciation, a time for realizing how much good we have in our lives, a timefor friends and family to come together, connect, dance, sing, eat together, and simply enjoy oneanother’s company. We celebrate festivals at the end-of-life care for giving every bit of life in the timethat’s left to the patients. It is a time for planning for the remaining days of the patient’s life beforesaying their final goodbyes.

Celebrating Bathukamma October 2018

Preparing for Diwali Celebration

at Sparsh -November 2018

CELEBRATING FESTIVALS (contd.)

Staff and caregivers were gifted new clothes on the occasion of Diwali

Patients bursting crackers with their family and friends at Sparsh on Diwali night

Diwali 2018

CELEBRATING FESTIVALS (contd.)

Christmas was celebrated with a lot of pomp and gaiety at Sparsh. The TrustSecretary Rtn. Mr. Prabhakar Dhulipudi hosted lunch for all. The Trusteesand all club members were also invited. Many patients’ families came withcakes. Many Christmas Carols were sung and there was music and dancingfun in the evening.

Our own Santa… HO HO HO!!

FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND HOSPICE STAFF MEETING

Family caregivers of hospice patients are responsible forday-to-day care of their loved ones during the finalmonths/days of life. They are faced with numerouschallenges – their frustration with patient care issues,emotional challenges, financial problems, and personalhealth concerns. The purpose of these meetings is tounderstand the challenges and share coping strategies thehospice family caregivers can use for patient care, self-care and emotional support.

YOGA FOR CAREGIVERS AND PATIENTS

Yoga therapy in palliative care is no different fromyoga in general. It celebrates life because it is mindfulof its impending end. Dying peacefully is the result ofliving peacefully. Yoga therapy is based on gentlenessand compassion. It is about bringing peace of mindand acceptance through breath and movement. Itaims to empower the patient and caregiver to acceptand face the illness and death by holistic experiencewhich has physical, mental, emotional, and spiritualdimensions.

Ms. Harshita Soni, a Yoga practitioner,

with Sparsh staff and patient care-givers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FOR PATIENTS’ FAMILY

Sparsh provides emotional support to the patients and their family. Sometimes the family needsfinancial and psychosocial support available in the community. Because of the generosity of manyhospice supporters and contributors, including the Trust members and volunteers, Sparsh has beenable to work since 2011 toward easing the financial burden which one’s terminal illness can createfor patients and their families. These grants have helped to pay for the school fees of theirchildren, and more often, for the expenses of last rites of patients after their death. Our purpose isto support these families by relieving their distress and hardship.

Home-care end-stage cancer patient Manjula receivinga cheque of Rs. 50,000/- to support her child’seducation. She is a single parent who lost her job dueto her illness. Members from the Rotary Club ofBanjara Hills extended this support to patient Manjula.

Mounika, daughter of in-patient Yallamma receiving acheque of Rs. 20,000/- in support of last rite expenses ofYallamma who expired that morning at Sparsh. Yallammawas a single parent, a daily wage earner, who was alsosupporting her aged mother and late sister’s two children.

STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

There has been a substantial increase in attention to the field of palliative care over thelast few years. Palliative care is rapidly becoming a routine part of health care and manyhealth care systems. This increase in awareness has given rise to the development ofseveral clinical palliative care training programmes and many health care facilitiesbenefit from these training programmes.

Sparsh Palliative Care Doctor and Counsellor attended the “Family Systems And Psychosocial Palliative Care" workshop facilitated by Prof. David Olivier (UK) at Tata memorial Hospital, Mumbai

Sparsh Head Nurse Sister Anushaand Palliative Care DoctorAnjaneyulu making home carevisit in Kozikode, Kerala, inpursuance their clinical trainingcourses – National Fellowship inPalliative Nursing and NationalFellowship in Palliative Medicinerespectively.

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

The staff represents an organization’s true worth. Investing in knowledge sharing time can helpboost employee engagement. Employees feel satisfied that they are helping others and arehelping the organization on the whole. Employees that share knowledge with others are oftenconsidered as experts in their field. This causes an increase in their confidence and sense ofaccomplishment. Also, knowledge sharing allows for an evolution of knowledge which is notpossible otherwise.

Sister Hadassapresenting topic

“Dyspnea”

Sister Lakshmi presenting topic

“Bio-medical waste management”

Sister Maheshwari presenting

topic “Nausea and Vomiting”

Sister Narmada presenting topic

“Wound Care Management ”

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are worth their weight in gold. They share their time and talents without anycompensation. This quarter has seen some change in the hospice kitchen staff and each timeduring the transition period, the off-duty nurses extended their support in the kitchen cheerfully.We take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers and acknowledge their selfless service toSparsh Hospice. Thank You!!

Mrs. Rajeshwari singing spiritual

songs for Sparsh patients and caregivers

Mrs. Sriramapreparing pickles for the hospice

caregiversNursing staff helping in the

kitchen

New Building Update

• Building Plan Approved by GHMC duly waiving off theentire building approval fees.

• Excavation work completed in December 2018.• Concrete Works: Footings concrete work started.• Building Sub-Committee approved the following

submitted by JLL PMC for Sparsh New Building:a) Project Scheduleb) Concept floor drawingsc) Structural DBRSs and MEP DBRs

Building Contribution Options to the Donors

For Building Fund we have proposed the following tiers of Donors:

5 lakhs and above ---- SPARSH MITRA (Friend of Sparsh)10 lakhs and above--- BRONZE DONOR25 lakhs and above --- SILVER DONOR50 lakhs and above --- GOLD DONOR75 lakhs and above --- PLATINUM DONOR100 lakhs to 400 lacs -- WARD/BLOCK DONOR400 lakhs and above -- Co-Branding of Building

There will be a Donor Wall at the new building premises placed aesthetically at aprominent place to recognize all the major donors who contribute towards the newbuilding fund.

Tax Benefit for the Contribution

For all contributions in India, the donor will be entitled to claim deduction underSection 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.

We are registered as “Sparsh Palliative Care Services” under 501(c)(3) in the USA.The registration enables US citizens and entitles them to claim tax benefits in US.

For contributions in India:Monetary donations can be made by cheque payable to ‘Rotary Club of Banjara Hills Charitable Trust’ or payable online at: http://sparshhospice.org/donation-form.php using PayU Money payment gateway.

For NEFT transfer: Bank name: YES BANKAccount name: Rotary Club of Banjara Hills Charitable TrustBranch: Banjara HillsAccount No: 025094600000400 | IFSC Code: YESB0000250

Contribution towards the new building fund can be made by Cheque or DD payable to “RCBHCTBuilding Fund”.

For contributions in the US:

Sparsh Palliative Care ServicesA NJ Non Profit Corporation 0400640460501(c)3 Approved; EIN No. 46-497295

Monetary donations can be made by cheque payable to 'Sparsh Palliative Care Services‘or payable online at: http://sparshhospice.org/donation-form.php using PayPal payment gateway.Or contact Trustee: Lax Gopisetty, 41596 Bostonian Pl, Aldie, VA 20105Email: lax_gopisetty@gmail.com Cell: 1-571-888-6010

To learn more about us please visitwww.sparshhospice.org

We solicit your kind cooperation towards the construction of our new hospicebuilding. A much needed facility, it would offer Palliative care, free of cost to manymore patients suffering from acute pain and will help the terminally ill patients inhaving a peaceful and dignified departure from this world.