Rs 29 Lakh Donated to Father Muller for Paediatric Cancer Care Through ‘Symphony of Hope’
- Music, compassion and community come together to support children battling cancer
Mangaluru: In a significant initiative combining music, compassion and community service, the Symphony of Hope Team, in association with the Mangalore Round Table Trust and Mangalore Ladies Circle, donated ₹29 lakh towards paediatric cancer care at Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI).
The cheque was formally handed over on September 4 to Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, as part of the initiative to support children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
Symphony of Hope was conceived with the vision of using the power of music to create a positive social impact. The initiative brought together talented musicians and artists while providing an opportunity for the community to contribute to the care of children battling cancer.
A short video highlighting memorable moments from The Symphony of Hope concert was screened during the programme. It showcased the energy, talent and emotions that came together to make the concert a celebration of music, compassion and community spirit. It also highlighted the collective efforts of the organisers, artists, supporters and volunteers who helped transform the musical evening into a humanitarian initiative supporting children undergoing cancer treatment.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Munita Rao, Show Director, Symphony of Hope, said that the initiative was created with the belief that music could do more than entertain—it could inspire, unite and bring about positive change in society.
“We are privileged to be able to extend this spirit of hope to children battling cancer,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mangalore Round Table Trust and Mangalore Ladies Circle for joining the initiative and acknowledged the generosity of donors who contributed to the cause.
She also appreciated Land Trades Building Developers; Global Link West Star Shipping; Mr. Michael D’Souza and Family; Mr. Ronald Pinto, Mrs. Dorothy Pinto and Family; Social Welfare Centre; Johan Maasbach World Mission; and all other donors for their generosity and support for the vision of Symphony of Hope.
The cheque was handed over to Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo by Ms. Munita Rao, Director, Symphony of Hope; Mr. Swen Albuquerque, Chairman, Mangalore Round Table Trust; and Ms. Michelle D’Souza, Chairperson, Mangalore Ladies Circle.
A Dream Transformed into a Movement of Hope
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo expressed his gratitude to the organisers for their efforts in bringing the concert to fruition.
Recalling the early stages of the initiative, he said that when Dr. Joylene D. Almeida, Ms. Nayana Fernandes and Ms. Munita Rao approached him a few months ago with an idea, he did not initially realise the scale of what they envisioned.
This resulted in a collective effort that brought together Mangalorean artists from different locations, enabled them to rehearse together, pooled logistical resources, and culminated in a musical evening dedicated to giving back to society.
Fr. Faustine described Symphony of Hope as an initiative of great magnitude and a significant contribution to society. Referring to the Christian message of “Love thy neighbour,” he said the initiative reflected the spirit of loving and caring for others, particularly those facing illness.
He emphasised that the contributions would be used for the intended cause, saying that every rupee donated would contribute to the care of children, while every ticket purchased and every act of goodwill would help support the initiative.
He described Symphony of Hope as a model for others to follow, highlighting how community participation can transform compassion into meaningful action.
The ₹29 lakh contribution will support the care and treatment of children undergoing cancer treatment at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, helping provide financial assistance and ease the burden faced by children and their families.
Support from Father Muller
The programme received the support of the Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Hemato-Oncology, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, whose commitment to the welfare of children undergoing cancer treatment was integral to the initiative.
Dr. Anil Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, thanked the organisers for the donation and provided an overview of the care and treatment offered to children with cancer at the hospital.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all those who supported Symphony of Hope, including the artists, donors, volunteers, institutions, well-wishers and members of the community whose collective efforts transformed a musical concert into a humanitarian initiative.
They said the initiative demonstrated that when people come together with compassion and a common purpose, they can make a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
Distinguished Presence
Representing Father Muller Charitable Institutions were Rev. Dr. Michael Santhumayor, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College; Rev. Fr. George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; and Rev. Fr. William D’Souza, Assistant Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, along with members of the FMCI Management Committee.
Members of the Symphony of Hope Committee present included Ramona Mathias, Asish Rao, Leah Mascarenhas, Deepak Ramani, Klinton Mascarenhas, Simi D’Souza, Melita Sequeira, Haron Fernandes and Shanthi.
From Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Dr. Anil Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, and Dr. Joylene D. Almeida, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, were present.
Dr. Kelvin Peter Pais, Liaison Officer, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, compered the programme.
Symphony of Hope began with music, but its impact extended beyond the concert hall, raising support for children and families navigating the difficult journey of cancer.
A symphony was played, hope was created, and that hope will continue to support children in need.
