Mangaluru Coach Raises Over Rs 5 Lakh for Palliative Care Ahead of Mumbai Marathon
Haseena Themali, a runner and coach from Mangaluru, has achieved a remarkable feat. She raised Rs 5,01,001 as a first-time fundraiser. This effort supports the Tata Mumbai Marathon, which takes place on Sunday. The funds will strengthen palliative care services in Karnataka.
Supporting End-of-Life Care for Cancer Patients
Ninety-five donors backed Haseena's campaign. Her work focuses on providing free and compassionate end-of-life care. This care is for terminally ill cancer patients. Haseena, who is 43 years old, runs for the Tapasya Foundation. This organisation offers holistic palliative hospice care to cancer patients.
The money she collected will help build the group's first world-class palliative care centre in Mangaluru. This centre aims to ensure dignity, comfort, and emotional support. Patients and their families will receive this support during critical stages of care.
A Personal Journey of Fundraising and Purpose
Haseena is embarking on her first fundraising journey through the Tata Mumbai Marathon. She connected with the Tapasya Foundation because of its commitment to accessible and compassionate palliative care.
She shared her experience. "When the Tata Mumbai Marathon approached me to take on a fundraiser challenge, I initially thought it would be smooth," Haseena said. "I soon realised how difficult it is to reach out to people, convince them, and build trust. But it is not impossible. If the intent is genuine, anything is possible."
Her motivation started with a desire to do something bigger. She wanted to use sport as a platform for purpose. "I wanted to move beyond distances or personal bests and think about how I could use my miles for something beyond myself," she explained. "That is how I chose this journey for the cause and for the country."
Raising Awareness and Mobilising Community Support
For Haseena, participating in the Tata Mumbai Marathon is more than a physical challenge. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of palliative care. She also aims to mobilise community support for initiatives that address an often-overlooked but essential aspect of healthcare.
Through her fundraising effort, she hopes to encourage more individuals to support causes that ensure dignity and comfort for patients and their families during end-of-life care. This initiative highlights the power of sports in driving social change and community engagement.
