₹29 Lakh Donation to Father Muller for Paediatric Cancer Care Through ‘Symphony of Hope’
Music, compassion and community come together to support children battling cancer
In a remarkable initiative that brought together music, compassion and community service, the Symphony of Hope Team, in association with the Mangalore Round Table Trust and Mangalore Ladies Circle, donated ₹29,00,000 towards paediatric cancer care at Father Muller Charitable Institutions.
The cheque was formally handed over on September 4, 2026, to Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, as part of the initiative to extend meaningful support to children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
Symphony of Hope was conceived with the vision of using the power of music to create a positive social impact. The initiative brought together talented musicians and artists, while simultaneously creating an opportunity for the community to contribute towards the care of children battling cancer.
A short video presentation capturing the memorable moments and highlights of The Symphony of Hope was screened during the programme. The video showcased the remarkable energy, talent and emotions that came together to make the concert a meaningful celebration of music, compassion and community spirit. It also reflected the collective efforts of the organisers, artists, supporters and volunteers who contributed to transforming the musical evening into a powerful initiative in support of children undergoing cancer treatment.
Speaking on the occasion, Munita Rao, Show Director, Symphony of Hope, said:
“Symphony of Hope was created with the belief that music can do more than entertain—it can inspire, unite and create positive change in society. We are privileged to be able to extend this spirit of hope to children battling cancer.”
She expressed her sincere gratitude to the Mangalore Round Table Trust and Mangalore Ladies Circle for joining the initiative and acknowledged the generosity of the donors who contributed towards the cause.
She also placed on record her appreciation to Land Trades Building Developers, a premier real estate company; Global Link West Star Shipping; Michael Dsouza and Family; Ronald Pinto and Dorothy Pinto and Family; Social Welfare Centre; Johan Maasbach World Mission; and all other donors for their generosity and for believing in the vision of Symphony of Hope.
The cheque was handed over to Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, by Munita Rao, Director, Symphony of Hope; Swen Albuquerque, Chairman, Mangalore Round Table Trust; and Michelle Dsouza, Chairperson, Mangalore Ladies Circle.
A Dream Transformed into a Movement of Hope:
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organisers for their tremendous efforts in bringing the concert to fruition. Recalling the early stages of the initiative, he said that when Dr Joylene DAlmeida, Nayana Fernandes and Munita Rao approached him a few months ago with a dream, he did not initially realise the magnitude of what they envisioned.
What followed was an extraordinary collective effort—bringing together artists of Mangalorean origin from different places, enabling them to practise together, pooling resources for logistics, organising rehearsals and, ultimately, presenting a spectacular musical evening that culminated in giving back to society. He described Symphony of Hope as an initiative of great magnitude and an even greater gift to society. As the words of Jesus Christ is being reflected through them ‘Love thy Neighbour’, love them in sickness and wellness without hesitation.
Fr Faustine emphasised that every contribution would directly serve the intended cause, stating that every rupee donated would contribute to healing, every ticket purchased would support the cause, and every good thought would bring blessings to a child.
He described the initiative as a model for others to follow, highlighting how community participation can transform compassion into meaningful action. The ₹29 lakh contribution will support the care and treatment of children undergoing cancer treatment at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, helping provide financial assistance and ease the burden faced by children and their families during their challenging journey.
Support from Father Muller:
The programme received the wholehearted support of the Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Hemato-Oncology, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, whose commitment to the welfare of children undergoing cancer treatment was integral to the initiative. Dr Anil Shetty, Head of Paediatrics, thanked the organizers for the donations and gave a glimpse of the care provided to children with cancer.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all those who supported Symphony of Hope—the artists, donors, volunteers, institutions, well-wishers and members of the community—whose collective efforts transformed a musical concert into a meaningful humanitarian initiative.
They reiterated that the initiative serves as a reminder that when people come together with compassion and a common purpose, they can create a lasting difference in the lives of those in need.
Distinguished Presence:
Representing Father Muller Charitable Institutions were Rev. Dr Micheal Santhumayor, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College; Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital; Rev. Fr William Dsouza, Assistant Administrator, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, along with members of the Management Committee of FMCI.
Also present were members of the Symphony of Hope Committee, including Ramona Mathias, Asish Rao, Leah Mascarenhas, Deepak Ramani, Klinton Mascarenhas, Simi D’Souza, Melita Sequeira, Haron Fernandes and Shanthi. From Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Dr Anil Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics, and Dr Joylene DAlmeida, Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, were present. The event was compered by Dr Kelvin Peter Pais, Liaison Officer, Father Muller Charitable Institutions. The Symphony of Hope may have begun with music, but its true resonance lies in the hope it now extends to children and families navigating the difficult journey of cancer. A symphony was played. Hope was created. And today, that hope continues to heal.
