Why I Volunteered with Genesis Foundation

My inspiration to learn more about Congenital Heart Defects started when my neighbour was taken to the hospital for valve replacement surgery. Seeing the state, he was in and the struggles he had, I read more about his illnesses. By doing this, I was able to learn the extent of the number of children suffering from Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) and the hardships they go through. Reading stories about children who battle CHD and the struggles their families endure has ignited a passion in me to contribute to this congenital heart foundation – Genesis Foundation.

Upon further research, I learnt about several non-government organisations that receive donation for heart surgery and provide cost-free, life-saving treatments for lesser privileged families.

I was in awe of the number of lives these congenital heart foundations had saved. Volunteering with such organizations would not just be a great opportunity for my future but also help me make a difference and contribute to a cause bigger than myself. One such NGO I read about was the Genesis Foundation.

As soon as I was introduced to the Genesis Foundation and their work providing support to children diagnosed with congenital heart defects (CHD), I instantly connected with their cause. My decision to help this foundation was well aligned with my personal goals and ideals to raise awareness which in turn could even provide avenues for donation for heart surgery.

Although I’ve not had the chance to volunteer for an organization that supports CHD, but I think that doing so will benefit me on a personal and professional level. It would be immensely humbling to volunteer with children who are coping with life-threatening illnesses. It would also educate me to be resilient and optimistic in the face of adversity.

I would also greatly benefit from this experience because my goal is to become a cardiac surgeon and continue a career in medicine. Without a doubt, having firsthand knowledge of the difficulties in managing and treating these conditions will improve my ability to approach patient care from a more thorough and sympathetic standpoint in my future academic and professional activities.

Volunteering for Genesis would not just be about my personal gain but also about giving back to the larger community. My hope is that my contributions play a small part in a much larger effort to make life better for the children affected by CHD.

One major aspect that is holding India back from reducing the number of deaths due to CHD is that children are not being diagnosed while they are still under the age of 1. With today’s technology, children can be diagnosed while they are still in the womb, but this technology is not available to those living in rural areas. Many times the diagnosis is missed, which causes fatal repercussions. In order to lower the rate of undiagnosed and unoperated children, awareness campaigns and workshops are necessary, and regular free checkups should be given to every child. These checkups should be done by medical professionals and should be done as many times as a diagnosis of a major disease can be written off as a simple recurring cold or cough.

The treatment invariably incorporates major open-heart surgery, which certainly requires more funds. The procurement of these funds can be done through fundraising. The money can be raised from private investors who donate a large sum to the organization, or it can be directly donated by employers and the government health department. This will facilitate the poor section of society to undergo such major operations concerning CHD.

My involvement in educating the community would assist in cultivating an environment of volunteerism and social responsibility within my community. The whole effort would also be impetuous to raise awareness of fatal conditions. I have learned that while medical advancements are crucial, they must be complemented by compassion, education, and community engagement to create lasting change.

One experience that deeply influenced my passion to contribute was learning about my grandmother, who had an atrial septal defect. Unfortunately, she passed away before I was born, and I never had the chance to meet her. This loss greatly affected my family and highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for CHD.

Even though I have not contributed in any way to any NGO that is involved in the support of CHD, I would like to contribute my time and efforts to Genesis Foundation and their noble cause. Volunteering for such an organization would align with my interests in health care and contributing to a cause that I truly believe in. By doing so, I would develop personally and professionally, and to better understand the significance of an important community accompanied with sheer determination. Starting this journey, I will strive to have a positive impact on children with congenital heart defects and work towards the betterment of humanity.