How Bulbul Ray offers ‘hope help and healing’ to cancer patients in Mumbai

Bulbul Ray – Cancer treatment is quite expensive. Additionally, Mumbai, the financial centre of India, has a high cost of living. Therefore, it becomes a significant expense for those travelling from various regions of India to Mumbai for cancer treatment. But what if you could get by on just Rs 100 each day in Mumbai? This also includes two free lunches each day, in case you’re too stunned to read this.

A Mumbai resident named Bulbul Ratan Ray has opened a home for cancer patients and their loved ones. The daily fee is Rs 300 for three people, which includes lunch and dinner. Bulbul Ray speaks candidly on World Cancer Day about her cancer residence and the palliative treatment she receives.

Bulbul Ray

Theme for World Cancer Day

The second year of the campaign, “Close the care gap,” with the theme “Understand the disparities in cancer care and take action to make the necessary progress to solve them,” serves as the inspiration for this year’s World Cancer Day.

Bulbul stated that her father’s cancer diagnosis in 1988 was the catalyst for her decision to dedicate her life to helping cancer victims. I had little awareness of cancer at the time, but I had witnessed his misery and suffering. He was in excruciating discomfort and unable to eat for days. He eventually succumbed to cancer. Following my wedding, I moved from Kolkata to Mumbai in 2004. My brother’s friend received a cancer diagnosis in 2006. At that point, I began looking after him. The small youngster received his entire course of treatment at my home, after which he fully recovered. He is now an adult who is married and father to a child.

Being a Bengali herself, Bulbul has seen the communication difficulties West Bengalis encounter in Mumbai, where many of them struggle to even understand Hindi. We have a roadside store in Parel, and the items there change according to the season. In the winter, we offer blankets and sweaters, while in the summer, we offer clothing and raincoats. I first met individuals from Kolkata and other regions of West Bengal, Tripura, and even Bangladesh when I started sitting in the shop with my husband shortly after moving to Mumbai for cancer treatment. Many patients would come to our business, along with their family members who were staying in the neighbouring hotels and other lodgings. A majority of them arrived for therapy.

Taking cancer sufferers with you to the hospital

At that point, Bulbul made the decision to accompany these patients and their family members to the hospital and serve as their translator. “I started accompanying these patients to the hospital and would explain to them what the doctor or other hospital personnel were attempting to say regarding the patient’s condition. When cancer patients underwent surgery, I even weighed for hours at the request of their families. This was the type of connection I began to form with cancer patients and their families who were travelling to Mumbai for treatment. I’ve been shown this much affection and trust by folks who are really strangers! Bulbul said in a husky tone.

The “Bulbul Ray Foundation,” which Bulbul currently directs, provides “hope, help, and healing” to cancer sufferers travelling to Mumbai for treatment. 15 people presently make up the Foundation.

Her “Cancer Home” is in Sion East’s GTB Nagar neighbourhood. The founder stated, “I have created a home for cancer patients near Gandhi Market in Sion. When asked about the atmosphere at the Cancer Home and the cuisine given, she mentioned both. Here, cancer sufferers and their loved ones are accommodated. This house can accommodate 60 people in total. We charge Rs 300 per day for three people’s lodging, which includes two complimentary meals each day. While a mixed vegetable khichdi is served for lunch, daal, roti, and hot milk are delivered from a local restaurant for supper.

Cancer Center

“We host numerous programmes to amuse cancer patients and their families who are staying here, and we also participate in a number of festivals. Everyone lives together in our house like a huge family. It is my home because of this. Some folks stay for months because they feel so at home here. Some patients are left alone by their families, who leave them here and go back to their homes knowing that the patient is in good care. We support one another and work together to help those in need just like a large, united family, she continued.

Free suppers

In addition to managing a cancer home, Bulbul serves at least 350 individuals every day a free dinner. The majority of these are cancer patients and their relatives who are from various regions of India. In a number of locations, including Parel, GTB Nagar in Sion, in front of Mhaskar Hospital, and a few other places, I provide food to cancer patients and their family members. Every day, I give away my lunch to at least 350 individuals. It has a set menu. It consists of exceptionally nutrient-dense khichdi cookies made with carrots, spinach, peas, and other veggies. While I personally serve this food, my Foundation members also support me in my effort; without their cooperation, it would not have been feasible.