From Rochester to Lahore: Your Donation's Journey
When you contribute at a PASOR fundraiser, you might wonder exactly where your money goes and how it helps. This article traces the journey of donations from Rochester to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, showing the direct impact of community generosity on cancer patients in Pakistan.
Understanding this connection makes giving more meaningful and demonstrates why PASOR's fundraising efforts matter.
The Transfer Process
After each fundraising event, PASOR follows a careful process:
Collection and Accounting: All donations are carefully documented and deposited.
Verification: Totals are verified against pledge records.
Transfer: Funds are transferred directly to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital through established banking channels.
Receipt: The hospital acknowledges receipt and provides documentation.
Reporting: PASOR shares transfer confirmation with the community.
This transparent process ensures every dollar reaches its intended destination.
How the Hospital Uses Funds
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital allocates funds strategically to maximize patient impact:
Direct Patient Care (60%): The majority funds actual treatment:
- Chemotherapy medications
- Radiation therapy sessions
- Surgical procedures
- Hospitalization costs
- Outpatient treatments
Diagnostic Services (15%): Early detection saves lives:
- Advanced imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans)
- Pathology and laboratory tests
- Genetic testing
- Biopsy procedures
Equipment and Infrastructure (15%): Cancer treatment requires sophisticated technology:
- Linear accelerators for radiation
- Surgical equipment
- Laboratory instruments
- Facility maintenance
Research (10%): Improving future treatment:
- Clinical trials
- Cancer research specific to South Asian populations
- Treatment protocol development
Real Patient Impact
Understanding how funds translate to patient care:
Chemotherapy Course: A full chemotherapy regimen might cost $3,000-5,000. A significant donation from Rochester could fund an entire treatment course for one patient.
Surgical Procedure: Complex cancer surgeries can cost $2,000-4,000. Community fundraising enables these life-saving operations.
Diagnostic Workup: Initial diagnosis requiring imaging and biopsies might cost $500-1,000. Catching cancer early dramatically improves outcomes.
Medication Supplies: Daily medications for hospitalized patients cost $50-100 per day. Even modest donations keep patients supplied.
The Free Treatment Model
What makes Shaukat Khanum unique is that approximately 75% of patients receive free or heavily subsidized treatment. This is possible only because of charitable donations.
Without fundraising like PASOR's efforts, the hospital couldn't serve poor patients. Your donation doesn't just contribute to an institution—it enables a patient to receive treatment they couldn't otherwise afford.
Patient Stories
The impact becomes real through patient stories:
Amina, 45: A mother of four diagnosed with breast cancer, Amina's family had no resources for treatment. Free care at Shaukat Khanum gave her a chance. She's now cancer-free and watching her children grow.
Hassan, 8: A young boy with leukemia, Hassan needed intensive chemotherapy. His father, a day laborer, could never have afforded treatment. Donated funds covered Hassan's care, and he's now in remission.
Fatima, 62: A grandmother with colon cancer, Fatima received surgery and follow-up care at no cost. She survived to see her grandchildren's milestones.
These stories represent thousands whose lives were saved by charitable donations—including those from Rochester.
Multiplying Impact
PASOR's fundraising multiplies impact in several ways:
Aggregation: Individual donations combine into significant sums.
Matching: Sometimes donors or corporations match community contributions.
Efficiency: Organized fundraising reaches more people than individual giving.
Sustainability: Regular annual events provide predictable support the hospital can count on.
Accountability and Transparency
Trust requires transparency. PASOR and Shaukat Khanum maintain accountability:
Audited Finances: The hospital undergoes independent financial audits.
Published Reports: Annual reports detail fund utilization.
Donor Communication: Contributors receive updates on hospital activities.
Open Records: PASOR maintains records of all funds transferred.
Beyond Treatment: Building Healthcare Capacity
Donations also strengthen Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure:
Training Medical Professionals: The hospital trains oncologists, surgeons, and nurses.
Research Development: Studies improve cancer treatment for South Asians.
Regional Expansion: New facilities expand access beyond Lahore.
Standards Setting: The hospital models quality healthcare for Pakistan.
The Cumulative Impact
Year after year, PASOR's fundraising accumulates significant impact:
- Thousands of patients treated
- Countless lives saved
- Families preserved
- Communities strengthened
Each annual fundraiser adds to this legacy of lifesaving.
Why Pakistan Needs This Support
Cancer treatment infrastructure in Pakistan cannot meet demand:
Limited Facilities: Public hospitals are overwhelmed and under-resourced.
Cost Barriers: Private care is unaffordable for most families.
Late Detection: Without screening programs, cancer is often diagnosed late.
Treatment Gaps: Many patients cannot complete treatment due to cost.
Shaukat Khanum fills critical gaps—but only with charitable support.
Your Role in This Chain
Every donor is part of the chain from diagnosis to cure:
Your Donation → PASOR Transfer → Hospital Receives → Patient Treated → Life Saved
You may never meet the patient your donation helped, but they exist. Somewhere in Pakistan, someone is alive because of generosity from Rochester.
How to Maximize Impact
Make your giving count:
Give Regularly: Annual or monthly giving provides reliable support.
Attend Fundraisers: Event donations add to collective totals.
Corporate Matching: Check if your employer matches charitable gifts.
Zakat Designation: Many designate zakat to Shaukat Khanum.
Legacy Giving: Include charitable giving in estate planning.
The Ongoing Need
Cancer doesn't take breaks. Patients arrive at Shaukat Khanum every day needing treatment. The need for charitable support never ends.
Learn how your support helps cancer patients and join PASOR to participate in ongoing fundraising.
Your generosity creates ripples of hope thousands of miles away. Thank you for being part of the chain.