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Physician-Led Diwali Festival Raises $16K for TeamWalk

November 22, 2019

More than 100 guests were treated to a night of Indian culture while raising $16,000 for cancer patients at Lowell General Hospital’s second annual Diwali Celebration on Friday, October 25 at Clark Auditorium on the hospital’s main campus.

Diwali 2019
Dr. Supriya Rao, left, and Dr. Anasuya Gunturi at the second annual Diwali Celebration at Lowell General Hospital’s main campus.

Diwali is celebrated each fall and is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, symbolized by candles and lamps.

Created and organized by several of Lowell General Hospital’s Indian-born physicians as a fundraiser for the hospital, the Diwali event featured traditional clothing, food, music and dancing. Clark Auditorium at the hospital’s main campus was adorned with Indian colors and décor, and traditional Indian cuisine was served.

Co-chairs for the event were Dr. Anasuya Gunturi, medical oncologist at Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center, and Dr. Tushar Patel, a primary care physician and President of Riverside Medical Group in Lowell.

Jody White, President and CEO of Lowell General Hospital and Circle Health, led the traditional Lighting of the Diya, and entertainment included traditional Indian dancing, singing and music by Indian-born physicians.

Event proceeds will benefit cancer patients and their families through TeamWalk for CancerCare.

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