About Us
We are a non-profit organization founded in New York, USA in 2005, named KDCCF. We are a NGO (Non Government organization not for profit) founded in Calcutta, India in 2006, named KDFCC.
We are not affiliated with any other organization or government agency. In the future, we will initiate fundraising activities in order to maintain the foundation and expand its outreach to more people.
We have received (under Form 1023) recognition of exemption under section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, USA, and received approval from IRS, USA.
We also received tax exemption status under section 12A and certification under section 80G of Income Tax Act, India.
We are not affiliated with any other organization or government agency. In the future, we will initiate fundraising activities in order to maintain the foundation and expand its outreach to more people.
We have received (under Form 1023) recognition of exemption under section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, USA, and received approval from IRS, USA.
We also received tax exemption status under section 12A and certification under section 80G of Income Tax Act, India.
Why the Foundation
“It’s cancer.” What comes to mind when you hear such life shattering news? Fear? Pity? Shock? Anger? Whatever your reaction, you would not be alone. But, if you live in America, chances are that you are already aware of cancer risks, cancer detection techniques, and cancer treatment options. Millions of Indians are not as fortunate.
In October, 2001, Kalpana Datta was diagnosed with colon cancer. Life had been progressing normally until then, as she and her husband, Dipankar, made a life for their family in America as first generation Bengali immigrants. Suddenly, this news derailed their lives.
Luckily, doctors said that the cancer was still in a very early stage, and medical treatment of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation would cure her. During the nine months that it took to treat Kalpana, she and her family received help and support from their friends and family, with which they were able to survive this dark time. Finally, on July 6, 2002, Kalpana received the welcome news that her cancer had gone into remission.
During her ordeal, Kalpana decided to perform Durga Puja in Kolkata, India, in October, 2002. Their friends and relatives that attended were astonished that Kalpana was a cancer survivor. In their minds, cancer automatically equaled a death sentence. Shocked, the Dattas realized that in India, widespread information was not available to correct this impression. They explained to the Puja guests that cancer does not necessarily mean death, that early detection can save lives, and that people can learn to deal with cancer as if it was any other illness. Each subsequent year, they had a similar experience with newcomers.
Thus began their conviction that cancer awareness was significantly lacking in India, and that perhaps they could do something to change that. So, both Kalpana and Dipankar retired in September 2006, to commit to this goal. They founded the Kalpana Datta Cancer Care Foundation (KDCCF) in NY, USA in August 2005, and the Kalpana Datta Foundation for Cancer Care (KDFCC) in Kolkata, India, in March, 2006, and received tax exemption status as a non profit organization for each foundation in their respective countries.
Their primary goal is to increase cancer awareness, especially in underprivileged communities with limited access to health education and medical care. They began by focusing on breast and cervical cancer, intending to branch out into other cancers later. The foundation members are dedicated to helping people understand that the risk of cancer can be reduced by proper screening and prevention. In cases where cancer strikes, they provide support to the patient and his or her family. Kalpana and Dipankar strongly believe in providing love, hope and dignity to any cancer patient, such that he or she can fight the disease and maintain his or her quality of life.
The foundation's work took off in February, 2007, in Langalberia Gram Panchayet, 24 Parganas (South), about 20km from Kolkata. Kalpana leveraged resources such as the American Cancer Society for teaching material to conduct instructional seminars, reaching out to audiences of both men and women of all ages.
17 volunteers joined the KDFCC, and were trained by Mr. Samiran Das of the Saktipada Das Memorial Foundation, also a cancer awareness organization. These volunteers conducted door-to-door campaigns in the villages, discussing breast cancer awareness with female household members and instructing them on the self breast examination technique.
The next step was to get the villagers medical screening. Since access to specialized doctors was unavailable, KDFCC decided to hold a general medical and cancer screening camp where specialists and villagers could come. Such camps have been conducted on a monthly basis ever since (except during the monsoon season). In effect, 11 camps are conducted per year, supported by a medical team from Chittranajan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata. These camps offer free general medical check-ups, free breast cancer and cervical cancer screening tests, and prescribed medications at free or limited cost.
After the first camp, the Dattas realized that it would be beneficial for camp patients to receive follow up doctor consultations in Langalberia. Dr. S Roy, faculty professor of Nilratan Sarka Medical College & Hospital and Dr. Anil K Chakrabarty of Gobindupar (24 Parganas, South) treat camp patients every week for Rs 5 per patient and free respectively.
During the year, the foundation expanded their outreach programs to Rishra (2 camps at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram), Konnagar (1 camp plus seminars), and Sonarpur (3 camps plus seminars).
On Nov 4, 2007, the KDFCC organized a cancer awareness rally in Gobindapur. Approximately 750 people participated of all ages and occupations. They paraded, toting large placards with sayings such as “Fight Cancer” written in Bengali. Throughout the walk, villagers lined up to watch the progression and asked questions, which the volunteers gladly answered.
As the years continue, the Dattas are excited to continue and expand their work.
The Dattas welcome any questions or support that you, dear reader, may have. Please contact them at [email protected] or 033-2437-9603, and you may also refer to their website, www.kdcancercare.org for more information.
In October, 2001, Kalpana Datta was diagnosed with colon cancer. Life had been progressing normally until then, as she and her husband, Dipankar, made a life for their family in America as first generation Bengali immigrants. Suddenly, this news derailed their lives.
Luckily, doctors said that the cancer was still in a very early stage, and medical treatment of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation would cure her. During the nine months that it took to treat Kalpana, she and her family received help and support from their friends and family, with which they were able to survive this dark time. Finally, on July 6, 2002, Kalpana received the welcome news that her cancer had gone into remission.
During her ordeal, Kalpana decided to perform Durga Puja in Kolkata, India, in October, 2002. Their friends and relatives that attended were astonished that Kalpana was a cancer survivor. In their minds, cancer automatically equaled a death sentence. Shocked, the Dattas realized that in India, widespread information was not available to correct this impression. They explained to the Puja guests that cancer does not necessarily mean death, that early detection can save lives, and that people can learn to deal with cancer as if it was any other illness. Each subsequent year, they had a similar experience with newcomers.
Thus began their conviction that cancer awareness was significantly lacking in India, and that perhaps they could do something to change that. So, both Kalpana and Dipankar retired in September 2006, to commit to this goal. They founded the Kalpana Datta Cancer Care Foundation (KDCCF) in NY, USA in August 2005, and the Kalpana Datta Foundation for Cancer Care (KDFCC) in Kolkata, India, in March, 2006, and received tax exemption status as a non profit organization for each foundation in their respective countries.
Their primary goal is to increase cancer awareness, especially in underprivileged communities with limited access to health education and medical care. They began by focusing on breast and cervical cancer, intending to branch out into other cancers later. The foundation members are dedicated to helping people understand that the risk of cancer can be reduced by proper screening and prevention. In cases where cancer strikes, they provide support to the patient and his or her family. Kalpana and Dipankar strongly believe in providing love, hope and dignity to any cancer patient, such that he or she can fight the disease and maintain his or her quality of life.
The foundation's work took off in February, 2007, in Langalberia Gram Panchayet, 24 Parganas (South), about 20km from Kolkata. Kalpana leveraged resources such as the American Cancer Society for teaching material to conduct instructional seminars, reaching out to audiences of both men and women of all ages.
17 volunteers joined the KDFCC, and were trained by Mr. Samiran Das of the Saktipada Das Memorial Foundation, also a cancer awareness organization. These volunteers conducted door-to-door campaigns in the villages, discussing breast cancer awareness with female household members and instructing them on the self breast examination technique.
The next step was to get the villagers medical screening. Since access to specialized doctors was unavailable, KDFCC decided to hold a general medical and cancer screening camp where specialists and villagers could come. Such camps have been conducted on a monthly basis ever since (except during the monsoon season). In effect, 11 camps are conducted per year, supported by a medical team from Chittranajan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata. These camps offer free general medical check-ups, free breast cancer and cervical cancer screening tests, and prescribed medications at free or limited cost.
After the first camp, the Dattas realized that it would be beneficial for camp patients to receive follow up doctor consultations in Langalberia. Dr. S Roy, faculty professor of Nilratan Sarka Medical College & Hospital and Dr. Anil K Chakrabarty of Gobindupar (24 Parganas, South) treat camp patients every week for Rs 5 per patient and free respectively.
During the year, the foundation expanded their outreach programs to Rishra (2 camps at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram), Konnagar (1 camp plus seminars), and Sonarpur (3 camps plus seminars).
On Nov 4, 2007, the KDFCC organized a cancer awareness rally in Gobindapur. Approximately 750 people participated of all ages and occupations. They paraded, toting large placards with sayings such as “Fight Cancer” written in Bengali. Throughout the walk, villagers lined up to watch the progression and asked questions, which the volunteers gladly answered.
As the years continue, the Dattas are excited to continue and expand their work.
The Dattas welcome any questions or support that you, dear reader, may have. Please contact them at [email protected] or 033-2437-9603, and you may also refer to their website, www.kdcancercare.org for more information.
