Activities & Services

Dialysis:  A person suffering from kidney failure can survive only when he/she undergoes dialysis or a kidney transplantation. Haemodialysis involves the use of an artificial kidney termed “Dialyser”, which emulates the functions of a normal kidney. It needs to be done 2-3 times a week and is expensive. TANKER endeavors to make dialysis affordable for those patients who otherwise cannot afford it. Under our “Sponsor a dialysis” scheme from March 2001 to May 2010, 16868 free dialysis have been given. At present 30% of Dialysis in all 3 Units is being given free of cost, thanks to SUN Foundation and other regular donors. We are performing 300 free dialysis every month. Altogether, upto May 2010, 69301 dialysis have been done for 605 patients. At present there are 140 patients in all our units.

Financial Contributions: The Foundation helps poor patients from all over India by offering them one-time contributions ranging from Rs.1,500/- to Rs.20,000/- towards dialysis, transplantation, investigation and post-transplantation medication costs. Upto May 2010 financial help for dialysis, transplantation, medication and investigation costs has been given to the tune of Rs. 57.65 lakhs helping 968 patients.

Fistula Surgery:  For the purpose of dialysis, a fistula is created surgically, where the surgeon joins a vein to an artery in the area of the wrist. Impure blood is first drawn from the fistula on the patient's wrist, passed through the dialyser and machine and clean blood is returned to the patient. Fistula surgery costs around Rs. 7,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- in a private hospital. TANKER Foundation facilitates free fistula surgeries to the needy. Upto May 2010, sponsored free fistula surgeries for 64 patients.

Screening Camps: The Foundation regularly organizes screening camps in schools and communities for early detection and diagnosis of kidney related problems. Such camps highlight the need for timely treatment of kidney ailments.

Schools Out-reach programme: The Foundation regularly organizes talks in schools for creating awareness about kidney diseases and the symptoms to look out for, their prevention and early treatment. Upto May 2010, 154 such programmes have been done by Ms. Rajalakshmi Ravi, Dr. Suresh and Dr. Georgi Abraham. Field visits are also organized for students to come and observe the dialysis procedure first hand and interact with patients.

Research & Service Awards Given Annually : “Mrs. PC Mary-Tanker Foundation Young Investigator Award” – Rs.10,000/-. “Mrs. Rekha – Tanker Foundation Young Investigator Award” – Rs.10,000/-. The “Muthoot M. George Memorial TANKER & Kerala Kidney Research Foundation Young Investigator Award” – Rs.1,00,000/- with citation. The “Renny Abraham TANKER Foundation Love for Service Award” – Rs.1,00,000/- with citation. The “La Renon TANKER Foundation for the Sake of Honour Award”– Rs.1,00,000/- with citation.

Research Grants – TANKER funds research projects for studies in various aspects of kidney disease. Upto March 2009, Rs. 4 lakhs has been funded for 5 projects. At present TANKER is involved in research projects in collaboration with Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Biocon, Reliance, Roche and Panacea Biotec.

Internship and training: The Foundation is a training ground for students of social work, nurses and lab technicians.

Ist Dialysis Unit - Kilpauk 
THE REKHA MEMORIAL TANKER FOUNDATION SUBSIDIZED DIALYSIS UNIT
766,Poonamalle High Road,Kilpauk,Chennai-600010.
Ph: 044-42857272.

This unit has 11 dialysis machines with 63 out-patients. We do 500 dialysis per month out of which 150 dialysis are given free.

2nd Dialysis Unit - Ambattur Rotary Club Hospital
THE RENNY ABRAHAM TANKER FOUNDATION AMBATTUR ROTARY SUBSIDIZED DIALYSIS UNIT
IST MAIN Road,Ambattur Industrial Estate,Chennai-600058.
Ph: 044-42060509.

This unit has 5 dialysis machines. We have 27 out-patients. We do 230 dialysis per month out of which 50 are given free.

3rd Dialysis Unit - Madurai 
TANKER FOUNDATION MADURAI SUBSIDIZED DIALYSIS UNIT
No.3, Race Course Road
Chokkikulam, Madurai – 625 002.
Ph.No : 95 452 2525690.