New Delhi: At an age when girls usually hang around at coffee shops or are busy on social networking platforms, 16-year-old Anisha Soin has founded a medical start-up (www.vcanhelp.com) that is raising money for the treatment of patients in need. The Grade 12 student of Shri Ram School in Gurugram (Gurgaon), Haryana, when not studying, works to ensure that the money contributed by donors reaches the hospitals and is used for genuine support causes.
The start-up is an endeavour to help the not-so-privileged sections of society by meeting their medical needs. On her own, the youngster first approached hospitals to discuss her plans to start a medical start-up through crowd founding. On receiving a positive response, it did not take Anisha too long to begin the venture. The barely 10-month-old organisation has already helped several national and international patients treated in India.
She speaks to Gulf News.
GULF NEWS: From a schoolgirl to suddenly working for a social cause, what changed the course of your life?
ANISHA SOIN: One day, I happened to visit a prestigious hospital in Gurugram along with my mother and noticed an elderly woman sitting next to the hospital gate. The woman had sold her house for the treatment of her five-year-old grandson, who had cancer. Left only with some utensils, she sat there to sell those meagre items to collect some money. I was absolutely stunned. The whole experience made me conscious how fortunate I was to be living a comfortable life. It also made me aware there were so many people who could not afford the cost of medical treatment and lost their near and dear ones due to lack of insufficient funds. With 70 per cent of Indian population below poverty line, I realised, this was a real-time problem. It triggered the idea of helping the needy by raising money for them. It also helped change the way I saw most things in life and turned me into a responsible citizen.
How did the idea to start Vcanhelp strike you?
Though the incident of the poor grandmother had left an indelible mark on me, I was not quite sure how I could become a change agent. But it was not long before the idea of Vcanhelp struck me. I went to a religious place and saw devotees making donations and the donation box was filling up with small amounts. I realised I too could try collecting small amounts on an online platform. Small donations from a large number of people could certainly make a difference. And thus, Vcanhelp was born.
How does it assist patients?
Vcanhelp assists patients by letting them create help requests on its website. The details include medical conditions of the patients, supported by photographs and videos and the amount required for treatment. This information is uploaded on the Vcanhelp website and I also personally share it with family, friends and donor pool for fund-raising. Our belief is that money is there and people are also willing to help, but they are sceptical about their money being actually used for the right cause.
So, how do you convince them?
Our website mentions a very important fact that Vcanhelp does not utilise contributions (as many social groups do for their own administrative works) or deducts even a small percentage of funds before transferring it to hospitals. Instead, we take five per cent from the hospitals as cost of raising capital for the patient and in meeting their treatment expenses. This way, while the patient gets the best treatment in time, it also helps the hospital to build a good reputation.
Are there any regular donors?
Yes, fortunately, we have quite a few family members and friends, who are our regular donors. Known as Champions of Hope, these donors contribute a fixed amount every month to patients and also help by contributing as and when a patient’s request comes up
Initially, when you began working, were you taken seriously by the doctors?
Yes, I was very clear how to approach the doctors and fortunately, in all the hospitals, including, Fortis, Artemis, Max and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, the doctors were very touched by my concerns and have gone out of their way to work towards a common goal.
How is verification done by doctors to know the actually needy patients?
After conducting the tests and knowing the medical treatment a patient requires, the doctors verify their background and authenticity, so that only the really needy with serious medical issues are benefited. Vcanhelp features only those who are verified and authenticated by the doctors. Some patients connect with us directly. But due diligence by connecting with the doctors and the hospital is done from our end before posting their requests on our website.
You mean, irrespective of nationalities, anyone can approach you?
Yes, till date we have helped both national and international patients. These include: a young Sudanese national with a congenital heart disease. Her father is a labourer and could not afford the treatment cost. Admitted at Artemis Hospital, we raised Rs60,000 for her. A man from Kenya had neuroblastoma and travelled to India for treatment. We contributed Rs90,000 to help him. Then a housemaid, who is diabetic, is being helped with medicines every month. A flea market seller, whose wife works as an assistant to a physiotherapist, is now unemployed and bedridden. Suffering from a chronic kidney disease, he requires funds every now and then. We are generating that. For a girl having cancer of the peritoneum, Rs300,000 was raised. And a woman from Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is in Delhi requiring hip surgery. We are trying to collect Rs250,000 as treatment cost. The number of patients is only increasing and our mission is to meet their medical needs.
Which has been your most proud moment till now?
Honestly, I don’t think Vcanhelp has achieved much, as there’s so much more that I expect to do. But yes, it gave me immense pleasure and satisfaction to see the smile on the face of the Sudanese girl when we were able to raise Rs300,000 for her treatment. My plans for Vcanhelp are to work on our donor pool so that we are able to help as many patients as possible. This is my way of making a difference and giving back to society.