Food Appeal For Cancer Patients & Their Families

[tulips]

Amore Salon/Tulips

Food Appeal For Cancer Patients & Their Families

Scenario: One of our patients having lived and worked here for approx 20 years, unable to gain citizenship and suddenly being diagnosed with cancer?

This is what it means: You are unable to work (and earn the minimum wage of 1,834TL per month). You have to pay for all your hospital costs, schooling for your children, food, heating, clothing and rent with no state help at all!

Try to imagine what it must feel like not to be able to provide for your family the basics of life i.e. food, heating and clothing through no fault of your own just because you were diagnosed with cancer and unable to work.

Throughout the TRNC cancer patients and their families are struggling to survive, our appeal is focusing on the people that Tulips/HTWCA helps so that food can be put on their tables for themselves and their families.

It is incomprehensible to most of us that someone should have to suffer the indignity and distress of having to choose between going cold, hungry or without vital treatment. We want to be there to support as many people as possible who find themselves without even the basic necessities when hit by crisis, but we can’t do this without your support.

Thanks to the generous donations already made from the clientele of the Amore Salon (Lapta) on the run-up to Christmas, children and their families most in need have already benefitted from the food donations however, this was a one off.

Therefore we are now appealing to you all to help these vulnerable families and individuals who are barely surviving below the poverty line and find something on the list below that you could add to your shopping basket that would make someone’s life a little easier.

One 500gm of rice would feed a family of 4 for a couple of days …. It’s that simple.

Food:

Pasta
Rice
Dried beans, lentils etc
Sugar
Baby biscuits
Baby milk
Small carton milk
Small carton juice
Tinned goods

Cleaning goods:

Washing up liquid
Toilet roll
Washing powder
Soap
Shower gels
Shampoo
Disinfectant
Baby wipes
Nappies mostly age 3 and under

All donations to be delivered to: Amore Tanning and Beauty Salon, Lapta and Bestseller Bookshop, Karakum.

[mickhm]

Any chance you could put this on facebook so I can share it that way please?

[Dalartokat]

Sounds like the need for a Food Bank to be set up. Also the need for sell by dates to be checked.

Sad that someone with 20 years of living in TRNC is put in this position. It's good they have you to speak on their behalf.

[tulips]

Mickhm - this was posted early this morning - see below:

https://www.facebook.com/TulipsKHYD/?fref=ts

Dalartokat - Sadly this is just one case we used as an example, we have many others which are unimaginable to most of us

[Ragged Robin]

Not wishing in any way to sound racist nor ask for personal case details, but I assume that the example you quote is British and that all the obvious routes, eg. BHC and BRS have already been tried unsuccessfully. I am shocked because although I have been trying to impress on people the fact that there are those living here struggling to cope single-handed with their own, or a partner's illness or disability, I did not realise it had reached the stage of whole families going without food. My congratulations and thanks to Tulips for doing so much to help at least one area of the problem.

I suspect however that the problem will not be so much getting the food as distribution. I have health/financial problems of my own, and can spare little in my efforts to conserve what remains from the catastrophe of my savings for life saving medication for myself. However I do from time to time have to buy in quantities too large for my own needs and would be only too happy to share the surplus. And occasionally I get free gifts from the supermarkets which I cannot use In addition I notice that the items you request are all dried goods : people, particularly invalids and young children need fruit and veg - again I often have to buy more than I need, plus I and others sometimes have surpluses of home grown produce.

However with my own health, mobility and financial problems there is no way I can get to Lapta, and even if I could the cost of petrol might well outweigh the value of goods! Is there any chance of a collection point being set up in the Ozankoy/Catalkoy area, or better still, for fresh goods in particular, a collection from and delivery to homes by area?

Just a suggestion: I know of one other Charity that supplements in food needs by donations from supplier of food such of bread of unsold stock at the end of the day. Have Tulips thought of investigating this possibility?

[amelia]

No wishing to distract from this good cause but I was under the impression that if you work here legally and pay your NI contributions then you are entitled to free medical & hospital treatment !!
You may also claim sickness benefit.
There is also provident fund which you pay into as part of your NI monthly payments, if you fall on hard times you can draw on your contributions.

[tulips]

I trust the following addresses your concerns:

RR -The example we put in our original post is a genuine situation and our Association has many, many more.

So far the people who are living below the poverty line are from the Turkish community and we can only help those families and individuals that our Association is looking after throughout their cancer treatment.

It is a difficult choice for these families – do they choose between cancer treatment or putting food on the table for their families, clothes on the backs of their children, heating, electric. Sadly we cannot help with every aspect of their needs but we can help with the cost of their treatment and with the help of everyone reading this – their food.

Thank you, I will pass on your suggestion of the ‘Charity that supplements in food needs by donations from supplier of food such of bread of unsold stock at the end of the day’.

Amelia – Unless you have a TRNC Citizenship card you are NOT entitled to free cancer treatment and this is the scenario mentioned above. We have another cancer patient who does have a TRNC Kimlik card who is entitled to free treatment BUT due to not being able to work because of his treatment he is only entitled to 800TL per month to feed and clothe his family, heat his home, pay for rent, water and electric ….. how would you choose which to provide if you were to be in this situation?

The Association has many more families and individuals in these situations and as such we are just trying to help them in any way possible and after seeing first hand what little was donated just after the New Year, Amore Salon (in Lapta) is pushing this drive for basic foods and cleaning products on behalf of Tulips.

If anyone reading this can find it in their hearts (or purses/wallets) to put that extra item in their shopping basket we would be most appreciative on behalf of our cancer patients.

[Ozankoy Best Butcher]

I pass through Lapta most Saturdays, if its easier for anyone to drop off any of these goods in the butchers in Ozankoy I`ll be happy to take them over to Amore once a week.

[madeincyprus]

I will be heading to Amore tomorrow and will take some food with me. DO you have anyone that would benefit from a suitcase of men's, womans and children's clothes? If so where can i take them. Thanks

[jackvern]

I have taken food to The Bookshop near Lamar.They are accepting it and are most grateful

[snd1966]

bestseller at karakum has been mentioned

[tulips]

Ozankoy Butcher: Thank you so very much for your offer of help, it is really appreciated however I am going to ask that people drop their donations off at the 2 designated places ie Best Seller, Karakum and the Amore, Lapta only because we have set up a collection system prior to publicising this and we would hate to confuse everyone.

Madeincyprus: Thank you for your support and yes we do have people that would benefit from a suitcase of mens, womens and kids clothing – can you drop this also at the Amore and I will arrange for someone from Tulips to pick the case up.

Jackvern: On behalf of the patients we are helping, we would like to thank you very much for your support!

[sophie]

I'm assuming this appeal is being heavily publicised in all the Turkish language papers together with Turkish language radio and TV? Does it matter if pasta etc is in large commercial containers rather than domestic sizes? As someone who is on UK pension, it would be cheaper for us to buy in bulk as it were!!

[Ragged Robin]

Oh dear, how terribly sad.

I do not want to distract from the good cause here, and I did not intend to suggest that they should try to help anyone other than cancer patients and their dependants.

However it is very upsetting for disabled people to be debarred from normal social life because of practical barriers placed in their way. It is even more upsetting not to be able to help those suffering even worse than oneself because access is restricted by location and/or accessibility. I now feel totally depressed and as so often regarded as a non person because my ability to submit donations is limited to two locations which I cannot access.

AS someone who spent a lot of time as a Charity volunteer I also found that, apart from disabled access, limiting venues for donations was generally not a good idea, particularly when commercial interests may be involved. However I dont want to take this thread off topic - ifanyone wants further details./info and has a genuine wish to help charity please send me a pm.

Yusef: Thanks for your kind offer. I am sorry I could not in any case take advantage of it since in any case your limited parking space and size of customers "cars" prevents my visiting your shop as it would like to!!!!

[tulips]

Sophie: The Association already appeals to the local Turkish speaking to community to help these families and individuals we just thought we would help out via the expat community as well seen as many of us have used the resources of Tulips, and yes, we would be absolutely delighted to accept donations in anyway or form. Thank you very much for your support!

RR: Yes it is terribly sad but something that most of us can help with, we do wish we could help everyone in these dire situations but sadly we cannot we have to concentrate on our cancer patients, We do understand where you are coming from and it did cross our minds but the reason for limiting the venues for donations was made in order to be able to control the appeal itself as this appeal will be ongoing throughout the entire year. Neither of these venues are involved for commercial interests and were selected simply because both have always supported Tulips both in front of and behind the scenes on too many occasions to count and we needed points that were easy to access by most people.

[nermal]

Having read your appeal for dried goods etc I notice you do not have any collection points other than Girne. Do you plan on having somewhere in Famagusta where goods can be donated.

[Ragged Robin]

RR: Yes it is terribly sad but something that most of us can help with, we do wish we could help everyone in these dire situations but sadly we cannot we have to concentrate on our cancer patients, We do understand where you are coming from and it did cross our minds but the reason for limiting the venues for donations was made in order to be able to control the appeal itself as this appeal will be ongoing throughout the entire year. Neither of these venues are involved for commercial interests and were selected simply because both have always supported Tulips both in front of and behind the scenes on too many occasions to count and we needed points that were easy to accesfo

You are misreading me again. I did not repeat not, seek help for help for myself or indeed the many who are far worse than I, but simply for the Human Right (a legal one in the UK and EU) not to be discriminated against because of age and/or disability, and I cannot support in any way those who do not recognise that right.. North Cyprus is not a very good country for the disabled: it is essential that the British Community, particularly those involved in "Chariities" set an example. Nor in any case can I approve the decision to restrict venues for donation to two commercial outlets, particulary ones that prospective doners may not normally use, or indeed wish to. I am so desperately sorry (as well as hurt and depressed personally) that (despite the kind offer of the Butcher to collect and deliver items) I cannot help, but I already support two worthy Charities (on for cancer sufferers the other for the disabled) which are more flexible for their doners and perhaps I should stick to these. .

[tulips]

nermal: We will speak to the office tomorrow (Monday) and see what we can set up and will post on here and decision made. Thank you for your suggestion and support!

[Bernie]

Ragged Robin

I noticed that Tulips have listed the Best Seller Bookshop in Karakum as a drop off point which is easily accessible, is flat and has a huge car park and is close to your area.

[Ragged Robin]

Thank Bernie, I missed it on first reading but I do know where it is, and do not go there, however I don't want to take a thread about a needed Charity off thread, so I will continue to support the equally needy Charities I know and which understand the importance of accessibility and welcome and enable assistance from the disabled.

I wish Tulips every success with this venture for the sake of the poor people they are helping. I note that it is a long-term venture so I hope they will come to realise the importance of not restricting access to prospective donors by location or to expensive and exclusive venues. Then I can reconsider!

I was in a Supermarket yesterday morning and noted a sale of some tinned goods which would be helpful to hungry people. If I had been able to donate on site I would probably have bought some. As it was a spent the money on at a charity stall and got a much more pleasant response. Why dont Tulips organise something like the Supermarket appeals KAR do? I am sure it would get a better response than rather exclusive locations that many of us cant afford to patronise even if we can get there" Quite often people who cant afford much themselves would be happy to contribute the "free gifts" that are sometimes offered

[tulips]

nermal:

We have a lady who works with the Association who lives in Famagusta and is more than happy to pick up any donations for that area and deliver them to the office in Lefkosa.

Yildiz speaks excellent english and you can call her on: 0533 884 8410

If you have any problems please send us a message

[kiplet]

Tulips.
Not sure if you have already had this suggestion.
Ask all supermarkets to mark out a collection trolley well signed resquesting food donations, customers can then donate an odd packet/ tin etc when they shop.

Or volunteers can man the shopping trolley giving out leaflets to explain the need for food donations !
Hope this helps

[aussiejock]

Couldn't Tulips make a cash appeal, set up an account and ask everyone to make say 20 euro donation, I would be into that, if it would help. I don't know if Tulips has this in place, but I'm sure they would get a reasonable amount of people donating, they only have to put in the bank details and most people have internet banking, just a thought, if it is already in place sorry for the double post

Robert

[tulips]

Thank you for all your suggestions and helpful comments. We will look into all of them and see what we can do. Thanks again, meanwhile keep the donations coming, everything contributed will good to a very needy cause.

[ozankoys]

Let's keep this at the top obviously the need is sadly ongoing.

[kiplet]

Tulips
Were you able to put any of the suggestions in place ?
If so any good results ?

[tulips]

Sorry for the delay in coming back to the suggestions made above but we needed to check what can and cannot be done.

Kiplet: Thank you for the suggestion regarding the shopping trolley. It would be near on impossible to allocate a trolley in each supermarket for the collection of food the problem being that not only would donations be added to the trolley donations would also be taken out! We thought about a large donation box but felt that too would pose problems to manage.

However, we can talk to the supermarkets and arrange for a volunteer to stand outside a supermarket on a certain day for a certain number of hours to collect on Tulips behalf.

Would you know of anyone or if anyone would like to volunteer we would be happy to proceed with this idea.

Aussiejock: We thought this too was a great idea and approx 3 years ago we set this system up by asking everyone to donate 5TL (as so many locals pay this from their wages) which at the time was the cost of one Efes however after a lot of publicity and pushing only 8 people from the expat community got involved. It is unfortunate but that is the reality.

Thank you both for your suggestions.

We are about to post the result of the February appeal seperately!

[snd1966]

Are the drop off points the same Bestseller Karakum and Amore, unfortunately I am not sure where the exact place is in Lapta so hoping Bestseller is still accepting drop offs.

A customer has just sold their house and i have emptied their kitchen cupboards of tinned foods and their wardrobes of clothes and suggested instead of binning them let someone less fortunate make use of them.

[tulips]

snd1966 - thank you so much for your offer!

Yes the drop off points are still as you mentioned and we would be most grateful to receive the contents of your neighbours kitchen cupboards

If is Lapta nearer you then go to Amore. This is situated on the main road. If you are heading towards Lapta it is on your right after the Lapta Starling, then pass Freddies Bar .... you will find a row of units one of which is the Green Lotus Chinese and Amore is 2 buildings down from this.