We, the students of Bachelor of Arts in Social Work currently placed at National Kidney Center applaud the Nepali Times for Naresh Newar's piece 'Staying alive' (#290). The article cites the gruelling situation of kidney patients in the country, also included our appeal for donation to help save the life of Ramesh Lama, a 26 year old, former bus driver suffering from hepatitis C and kidney failure for the last two years. Earlier, we appealed for help in other national dailies but managed to collect only Rs 10,000 from an anonymous donor. However, within the first week of the Nepali Times article, we received calls from various generous individuals and the total pledges have exceeded Rs 43,000 (from: Asian Paints, Singhe Carpets, Everest Insurance, Mr Sabien, Mrs Bina Agrawal, Dr C S Rizal) which has provided huge relief to the patient and his family. Unfortunately, his long term need is a kidney transplant which can cost Rs 200,000. On behalf of the patients we would like to acknowledge the altruism shown by benevolent donors who wanted to remain anonymous.

Shanti Gurung and Gayatri Kharel,
Kathmandu