Be the Change: Donate to Make a Difference in Poor Children’s Lives

 -Contributed by Prarthna Raheja

Millions of poor children in India die every year because they lack quality healthcare, thus suffering from fatal health issues, such as congenital heart defects (CHDs). Genesis Foundation, as a prominent non-governmental agency, is working towards solving the crisis by offering medical treatment to critically ill, poor children. With a donation for heart surgery, you will be able to save lives and bring hope to families who can no longer access quality medical services.

The Burden of Congenital Heart Defects in India

Congenital heart disease is a very common birth defect in India, found in approximately 200,000 newborns annually. Such defects, such as heart structural malformations, usually require urgent surgical intervention or catheter-based treatment. Failure to treat these in time results in many children living with terrible health conditions or losing their lives. The socioeconomic context aggravates this issue, with families earning less than Rs 20,000 a month—very typical among Genesis Foundation beneficiaries—being unable to afford the expensive treatment charges, ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakhs per child. Genesis Foundation fills the gap so that financial limitations do not decide a child's opportunity for life. By making a donation for heart surgery, you personally fund surgery, lab procedures, and post-op recuperation for these young patients.

Genesis Foundation's Mission and Impact

Established by Prema and Jyoti Sagar following the unfortunate death of their son due to a congenital heart defect in 1983, Genesis Foundation has evolved into a ray of hope for poor children all over India. The foundation collaborates with a variety of quality hospitals, physicians, and support staff in urban cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata to deliver treatment. Their mission is simple: to provide an opportunity at a healthy life for every baby born with a congenital heart defect no matter what the economic situation of the family. Genesis Foundation has served more than 5,000 children since its establishment. Its yearly reports between 2021–2023 feature major milestones, such as the treatment of hundreds of children annually and increased cooperation with medical facilities and donors.
When you choose to donate to a children heart foundation India like Genesis Foundation, you become a member of a dedicated group that has an enthusiasm to save little hearts.

How Are Donations Spent?

Genesis Foundation keeps accountability and transparency as essentials in operations. Its FY 2022–23 annual report defines how donations are spent to cover the entire spectrum of a child's treatment process, from diagnosis to recovery. For instance, a single donation for heart surgery may cover the full surgery of a single child or be mixed with other gifts to cover several treatments. The online payment system of the foundation is smooth in nature, allowing smooth donation by the donors and thereby tracking of the impact of the donation on needy children. There are frequent updates to the donors about how their donations have been utilized, as well as news about the children whose lives they have saved. Transparency instils confidence and inspires the foundation's dedication towards its cause. Also, Indian citizens are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, with 50% of the donation being tax-exempt.

Stories of Hope and Resilience

The Genesis Foundation’s blog posts are heartwarming accounts of the lives of children they have helped. One of them is that of Manas (Alias name) struggled to walk properly as he was constantly short of breath. Carrying on basic chores and getting past his daily routine seemed difficult for this young boy.  Due to a sponsorship for needy children, he now flourishes and goes to school, looking toward a better tomorrow. Through direct interaction with families, guardians, and physicians, Genesis Foundation is able to implement timely interventions that have a considerable impact on outcomes. Such tales illustrate the positive change wrought by your charitable donation for heart surgery, as each donation has a direct bearing on the child's ability to have a healthy, fulfilling life.

The Responsibility of Monthly Giving and Fundraising

For those who want to make a lasting difference, Genesis Foundation has a monthly giving scheme. This scheme enables donors to give a set amount every month, allowing the foundation to budget its allocations better and help more children. This convenient method ensures your donation for heart surgery makes a lasting, significant difference.
The foundation also supports fundraising activities to create awareness on CHDs and raise funds. You and organizations can conduct events, campaigns, or drives in favour of the cause. For instance, the foundation accepts donations of new toys for kids being discharged from hospitals, bringing a smile to their recovery. Through such activities, you extend the reach of the foundation's mission and encourage others to donate to charity in India.

Why Your Gift Counts? 

In a nation where investment in public healthcare is still low—around 1% of GDP—such organizations as Genesis Foundation are essential to bridging the gap. Their emphasis on congenital heart defects is an urgent need, since these conditions are both common and curable with proper resources. By donating to children heart foundations India, you ensure that no child is deprived of life-saving treatment because of poverty. Genesis Foundation's annual reports highlight their financial integrity, with quarterly reports under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) posted online. The reports give a detailed account of the children helped, campaigns run, and partnerships established, adding to the credibility of the foundation. When you give to children heart foundation India like Genesis Foundation, you can donate with assurance, knowing your donation is making a real impact.

A Call to Action

Genesis Foundation's efforts are a reflection of the strength of community. Each gift, regardless of amount, moves a child closer to a healthy life. Genesis Foundation makes giving simple. Its website has a secure donation portal at  https://www.genesis-foundation.net/donate, where international donors can donate and help foundation to save little hearts. Genesis Foundation is registered under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA), which enables it to receive contributions from overseas donors, including those in the U.S. You can donate securely through the “Rest of the World” section on the website’s donation page. This allows for FCRA-compliant bank transfers.

Genesis Foundation is also registered on Benevity to simplify global giving. Through the Benevity causes portal, the NGO receives support from employees and corporations worldwide, including in the US, who believe in their mission.

REFERENCES

Times of India. “India’s healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP is alarmingly low, says new IMA president Dr Dilip Bhanushali.” Times of India, Bengaluru, Jan 16, 2025. Available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/toi-interview-indias-healthcare-expenditure-as-a-percentage-of-gdp-is-alarmingly-low-says-new-ima-president-dr-dilip-bhanushali/articleshow/117291434.cms