Karan (Sonny) Goel, a young entrepreneur, who despite his visual disability, recently founded 'Stem Cell Voice of India', an NGO to make use of stem cell potential by integrating all the sectors related to this field like scientists, doctors, legal bodies, patients and general public. The objective of the NGO is to bring awareness, to improve scientific understanding in this field, to help in formulating the laws on stem cells by following the existing guidelines and to disseminate and apply this knowledge to the benefit of mankind.
Goel unfortunately was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition of the eyes that makes one blind. But his passion, determination and self-belief made him view his disability as a challenge. He has been for a long time, searching and experimenting new scientific methods by which he can bring light and hope in the lives of people who have met with similar fate as his and others who are suffering from heart diseases or are terminally ill.
Years of putting in all efforts, Goel gained support from leading stem cell organizations both government and private in India and started an NGO called Stem Cell Voice of India - SCVI. Some of the organizations which supported the SCVI are ICMR, AIIMS, Centre for Stem Cells Sciences, AFMC, Pune, Lifeline Hospitals, Chennai, Cryo stem Cell Karnataka Pvt Ltd, Alzheimer's and related Disorders Society of India, Indian Doctors for Peace and Development, etc.
The main objective of SCVI is to bring the common man and the doctors/ethicists, etc on a single platform for the benefit of the mankind. This awareness will make the common man to select the more effective therapy for themselves to correct their physical ailments. SCVI also supports researchers to design and draft protocols for clinical research as well. SCVI is dedicated to the advancement in the area of stem cell for wide range of diseases for which there is no cure.
Goel was recently conferred the Distinguished Services Award by President Pratibha Patil for outstanding contribution in the field of cardiology.