Inchara Hosanagar and Ninad Hosanagar, two high school students from the USA, founded a new chapter of a non-profit organization: the Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation (SSCF). Inspired by their parents' hometown of Bengaluru, Karnataka, they bridged the gap between their Indian heritage and their American upbringing. They felt the need to help the underprivileged cancer patients in India, who were suffering more due to the pandemic. Through their initiative, they found a higher purpose beyond themselves
SSCF-North East Chapter was established in October 2021. The students are passionate about raising funds and awareness for the Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation (SSCF). The chapter has grown to include over 16 members from four different schools: Newark Academy, Ridge High School, Millburn High School and Rutgers Preparatory School. This group continues to raise funds throughout the year. They are working on creating awareness, however, in the future the group is planning to organize a 5K run in addition to hosting a cancer related discussion using a panel of surgical and clinical oncologists from India and USA.
This blog captures the details of students activities during 2022.
As part of ongoing activities, six high school students from the SSCF-North East Chapter participated in the Daandiya event at the Ridge High School, located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Inchara Hosanagar, Anurag Bhat, Shreya Sarkar, Shibani Sarkar, Manan Pandey and Rahul Jadhav created an awareness campaign. There were around 300 families took part in the Daandiya event. The students had created a table that attracted both adults and kids, thanks to the creative “wheel of choice” game. They are able to raise funds and spread awareness for the Sri Shankara Cancer Foundation. The New Jersey based east coast chapter of SSCF has been actively participating in small culture-based events. They also raise funds during these events to provide pro-bono treatment for underprivileged pediatric patients in Bengaluru. They effectively set up a flashy “wheel of choice” game that caught a lot of people's attention.
SSCF-North East Chapter kids at the local Daandiya event, Basking Ridge, NJ (9/24/2022)
SSCF-North East Chapter kids attended a Karnataka Cultural Organization Picnic event, at Highland Park, NJ (7/10/2022)
SSCF North East Chapter Kids visiting Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital & Research Center, meeting Dr. B.S. Srinath and staff during July 2022 presenting a check for the money collected in various activities.
SSCF-North East Chapter kids met with Dr. B.S. Srinath and staff (7/18/2022)
SSCF-North East Chapter kids with Rep. Tom Malinowski at Karnataka Cultural Organization Spring event, at Somerset, NJ (5/15/2022).
On Saturday, April 16th, they single-handedly raised a staggering amount — close to half a thousand — by traveling to an Indian event in New York, a cultural organization celebrating a facet of South Indian heritage. Patiently explaining their cause to every individual passing by, their profits kept ticking upwards. With connections having been formed, they seek to build upon their success while simultaneously navigating their high school journey.
SSCF-North East Chapter kids, Anurag Bhatt, Inchara Hosanagar, Rahul Jadhav explaining their cause with the audience at the New York Kannada Koota event, New York (4/16/2022)