Mumbai Parish Extends Compassionate Care to Cancer Patients

Mumbai, India, February 5, 2024 – On February 4, Rosary Parish in Dockyard, Mumbai, marked World Cancer Day by reaffirming its commitment to supporting cancer patients in need. For the past two years, the parish has been providing shelter, medical aid, and emotional support to underprivileged individuals battling cancer, particularly those undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital. Through its community-driven initiative, the parish ensures that no one fights cancer alone.

The initiative began during the World Day of the Poor in 2022, when the parish distributed meals to cancer patients near the hospital. The overwhelming response to their meal distribution drive inspired the community to do more.

Under the leadership of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Nigel Barrett, the parish community converted a storage space into a self-contained studio apartment and began offering rent-free accommodation for underprivileged Catholic families receiving treatment in Mumbai.

One of the lives transformed by this initiative is that of Sruti Malabishoyi, a young tribal Catholic woman from Orissa.

Sruti had been working as a domestic worker in Mumbai but was forced to return to her village after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. In January 2024, when she returned to Mumbai for treatment, the Rosary parish welcomed her with open arms, accommodating her in the renovated studio apartment.

Speaking to Vatican News, Sruti explained, “The news of my cancer broke me. I was ready to succumb to death. I went through many sleepless nights, drained in tears and pain.”

“Yet, in those moments of anguish,” she continued, “I felt great courage in my heart and a deep assurance that God was with me through it all.”

Apart from free accommodation, Rosary Parish also provided Sruti with financial aid for medical expenses, dry rations, and a monthly stipend. When chemotherapy showed positive results, doctors recommended amputation to prevent recurrence. Once again, the parish stood by her, offering emotional, spiritual, and financial support, including monetary assistance to purchase a prosthetic leg.

Now cancer-free, Sruti remains grateful for the support she received. “I have witnessed the faithfulness of God and the strength of community,” she shared. 

Her message to others battling cancer is this: “Have courage, don’t quit. You never know when God opens a door.”

The efforts of the Rosary parish to support cancer patients through its heartwarming initiative reflect the theme of World Cancer Day 2025-2027, “United by Unique,” which emphasizes a people-centred approach to cancer care. By standing united in compassion, Rosary Parish continues to embody the Gospel message of love and service, ensuring that every cancer patient receives the dignity and support they deserve.

Courtesy: Vatican News