Our Aim

Patricia was a beacon of light and hope. Her life was like a melody which continues to play. Her warm and kindred spirit will prevail thorough the work of the Patricia Barretto Cancer Care Foundation.

The Patricia Barretto Cancer Care Foundation is built on a mandate of being the warm, helping hand for those ailing from cancer. We will aim to restore the lives of those who are battling cancer in the earlier stages, and reduce the pain for the terminally ill so that they can spend their last days in peace and happiness.

Through monetary support in the form of donations and funds, we will augment the effort of NGOs and individuals working in the Cancer Care space in the areas of cancer treatment, palliative care, nutrition, and infrastructural support.

Mrs & Mr McRae - Patricia's parents

The Power of Pain

The end was in sight. Our daughter, Patricia Barretto, then only forty-five years old, had been given her marching orders. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 4 in September of 2016 and was informed in February 2020 she had just two more weeks to live.

Patricia had a fulfilling life. She had a pinnacle as CEO of The Harris Theater in Chicago. She had touched many lives and weaved magic through many causes. Her young child David, then just 13 and her husband Sheldon, in the prime of his life were her chief concerns. What would happen to them?She shared her anxiety with us, her parents and extracted a promise that we would be there for them, no matter what.

For us the last days with Patricia are memories of pain, hers and ours, and all those around her who loved her. Patricia is gone but the memory of the pain has stayed. And we, the living, needed to find an antidote, a balm for our pain. A reason to live, to reach out, to take forward a message of love. It is with this in mind Patricia's family willed to set up the Patricia Barretto Cancer Foundation, an organization that augments the capacities of Indian NGOs working in Cancer Care space. Apart from supporting organisations we are committed to providing financial assistance to some needy individuals.True, we cannot help everyone. True, cancer seems unbeatable. Also very true that our effort is a very small contribution. But it is a start. And we shall overcome. We invite you to join us in this fight, nay war. Let's together pray that our world has a lot less pain to bear today.

Leadership

Advisory Board

Well Wishers

John Doe

Patricia's Foundation Appeal letter

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom… They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints on our hearts and we are, never ever the same.” - Flavia Weedn

In loving memory of our beloved Patricia (June 18th 1975- March__ 2020), who lives on in our hearts, and inspires us every passing day. Our pain has not diminished but we find solace in bringing hope to the suffering many. We have walked her journey and we know the pain of those who have no hope. To celebrate her life, we are starting up a Foundation that supports cancer patients through palliative care. Our paperwork is in place and we are forging ahead with great determination to help out as many people as we can and use the funds we collect in the best interest of the patients.
We appeal to you to walk along with us in this journey and generously donate to the Foundation that is dedicated to serve patients battling stage-four cancer. The patients we support have scarce resources and need your support. Your donation can be annual, continuous or a one-timer. You can also donate in memory of a loved one. At this juncture, however, I am asking you only to pledge a commitment.

Once we hear from you confirming the donation amount, we will seek clearance of your name and amount from Government of India to enable foreign donations to the fund. This is a pre requisite from Government of India, post which we can receive your donations in foreign currency.

My heartfelt thanks to you in advance for your support and well wishes and in helping keep Patricia in our hearts forever.

We pray for you and your loved ones to be safe, healthy and prosperous.