'Bollywood Breast Cancer Bash' Raises Funds In Stonington

STONINGTON, CT — A fundraiser focused on breast cancer awareness and early detection drew community members to Stonington earlier this month.

The Maina Foundation hosted its “Bollywood Breast Cancer Bash” on May 16 at La Grua Center in Stonington. The event featured speeches about breast cancer awareness, early detection and access to care, followed by Bollywood music, dancing and fundraising activities.

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Dr. Anitha Srinivasan, chief medical officer of Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, delivered the keynote address. Speakers throughout the evening emphasized the importance of regular screenings and early diagnosis in improving survival rates for breast cancer patients.

The event was organized to raise awareness about breast cancer and support programs aimed at helping underserved women gain access to screenings and treatment.

The Maina Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides funding for breast cancer awareness initiatives, screening programs and treatment support in the United States and India.

The organization was founded in 2008 in memory of Shailaja “Maina” Pandit and operates with the mission of reducing deaths from breast cancer through education and early detection efforts.

According to the foundation, breast cancer survival rates are significantly lower in developing countries, where access to screenings and treatment can be limited. The group works with hospitals and medical centers to fund awareness campaigns, mammograms, imaging studies and chemotherapy support for women who cannot afford care.

In the United States, the foundation has partnered with Metropolitan Hospital in New York City and Backus Hospital in Norwich. Its funding has supported breast imaging and programs assisting breast cancer patients in eastern Connecticut.

The foundation also supports hospitals and awareness programs across India, including projects in Mumbai, Pune and Rishikesh.

Find out more about the Maina Foundation by clicking here.