A New Chapter in Health and Hope

Watch the story of Nagaraju

Nagaraju, a 38-year-old daily labourer from Tikkavaram in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, had long struggled with alcohol addiction and poverty. His meagre earnings barely supported his family, with healthcare far from assuming a priority.

Over two months, Nagaraju developed a persistent cough and increasing breathlessness that eventually made it impossible for him to continue working. Initially disregarding his symptoms, his health worsened until he sought medical help at a local hospital.

A bronchoscopy and biopsy revealed an endobronchial tumour diagnosed as Spindle Cell Neoplasm (Myopericytoma), requiring urgent surgery. However, the cost was beyond Nagaraju’s means, and his family faced a daunting financial burden.

Hope arrived through a referral to the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care and Advanced Research (SVICCAR) in Tirupati. SVICCAR is an initiative of the Tata Cancer Care Foundation, supported by the “Throughout my treatment, I received care, ensuring a smooth recovery. Today, I breathe more easily and have regained my strength.” Tata Trusts, in partnership with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. With renewed hope, Nagaraju and his family approached SVICCAR, where they were guided through the process.

Crucially, financial assistance was provided via the Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation’s contribution to SVICCAR’s Beneficiary Support Fund. This enabled Nagaraju to undergo a complex lung operation, where skilled surgeons removed part of his lung and reconnected the remaining section to his airway.

“My family, once fearful of losing me, have deep gratitude to the medical team, Tata Trusts, and the generous funders whose support made my life-saving surgery possible,” he adds.

This transformative experience has inspired Nagaraju to prioritise his health and reduce alcohol consumption, embracing a hopeful future enabled by timely intervention and compassionate care.