Cocktails, compassion and cardiac surgery

Dr Cherian was happy to meet his inspiration, his father’s classmate and roommate Mr KM Mathew. Dr Cherian greeted him with great respect. Mr Mathew too was glad to see his friend’s little son who had grown to become a world renowned surgeon. The good natured laughter and light moments with gathered friends stretched late into the night.

Suddenly Mr Mathew fell silent, and his silence spread to the entire gathering. A feeling of guilt stung all. “When we enjoy extreme bliss, our nature transforms into the Divine. We endeavour to unite together into one powerful force to commit towards the welfare of humanity.” 

This transformation crept upon them suddenly. The death of their driver’s young daughter filled every mind. It is one of life’s ironies that in moments of total fulfillment, one is suddenly reminded of sorrow. Surrounded by health and wealth, they heard the ‘Desperate Inner Call’. Mr Mathew demanded from Dr Cherian, “What are you doing for these innocent children who die of congenital heart diseases? You have several FIRSTS to your credit, a huge success in Chennai. But what are you going to do for Kerala?”

Dr Cherian was startled as he was also thinking along the same lines. “What am I doing to help these lakhs of preventable heart problems?” Mr Mathew said, “The driver’s child could have become Mother Therasa. We lost the child. We don’t know how many future leaders we are losing like this!” 

When Dr Cherian explained about the charitable activities at MMM, he instantly said, “Joji, I will wholeheartedly do whatever is necessary for these kids in Kerala. Dr Cherian said, “ I’m ready. Right away! What should I do? 

Thus Hrudhapoorvam was born and history was created in 1999! “When the vision is clear, destiny unfolds automatically in the right direction at the right pace” Dr Cherian prepared an MoU on behalf of The Madras Medical Mission to operate 100 kids every year Free of Cost! But the very first batch was 264 kids.

Padmashree Mr Kamal Hassan volunteered to be the Ambassador of the program Dr Cherian personally designed an exclusive Mobile Diagnostic Center with ECG / ECHO and Treadmill labs and a separate cubicle for EDP room with a 3 ft longer special chassis to make this special vehicle at a concessional rate. Mr RJ Sahaney and Mr R Sesashayee of Ashok Leyland who were friends of Dr KM Cherian agreed to give a substantial discount.

Camps were announced through Malayala Manorama. The mobile diagnostic van conducted camps. This became an yearly event. Malayala Manorama identified the deserving kids, paid the train fare for the child and attendants from home to MMM-Chennai and back. Complete treatment costs were borne up by MMM.

“Over 1600 children have had the sponsored surgery so far. I thank Almighty for making me a part of this Nobel act of Malayala Manaroma,” says Dr Cherian. On the death of Mr KM Mathew, Dr KM Cherian wrote a glowing tribute to express gratitude to the great man, which was published in The Hindu dated 11/08/2010 in the Letters to the Editor column. A casual conversation during a cock-tail dinner spawned a lifesaving event for thousands of children with heart ailments.