Cardano Dreams for a Healthier Future
Updated: Feb 19, 2022
Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!'”— Audrey Hepburn
Antrix is the Hindi word for sky or outer space. Perhaps, in its broadest context, it whispers of dreams and possibilities, of futures unknown, just like the broad panorama of the night sky. The same night sky that Ashok, the proprietor of the Antrix Stake Pool, watches from his backyard, enjoying the perspective he finds in the vast stillness. He lives in a rural area by choice because it allows him to view the stars in silence with no noise or light pollution. He chose this name for his stake pool because he believes in the larger mission and vision of Cardano- and its dreams and possibilities.
This quiet space is a long way, both physically and mentally, from his native Mumbai, India. Although he emigrated to the United States from India years ago, the busy crowded streets and trains still hold a vivid place in his memory. When he first arrived in the United States it was to the pacific coast in Oregon. Eventually he made his way to Wisconsin where he married and raised a son and a daughter, who are now studying business administration in college. His wife is a microbiologist, working for the University of Wisconsin. Now he has moved to rural Wisconsin, surrounded by corn fields and dairies where he can enjoy a calmer, more relaxed quality of life. While initially he started to watch football to meet people at work, over time he has become an avid Green Bay Packers fan and now Sundays in his house are reserved for Packers games during football season
Antrix stake pool was founded in October of 2021. As a relatively new stake pool operator, Ashok is primarily focused on establishing his pool and growing his delegation. To this end, he has joined both the Alliance Amada and the F2LB Community. Both of these are alliances of small, low energy consumption stake pools that have joined together to help each other and promote the decentralization of Cardano.
Family is paramount to Antrix stake pool. Their charity of choice, UW Carbone Cancer Center, is a pioneer in cancer research and the only comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is also the first U.S. cancer research center to be founded by a university and they see over 30,000 patients annually. Their mission, of helping patients through some of the most difficult times in their lives, is particularly important to Ashok, as there is a history of liver and pancreatic cancer in the family. Those experiences have led to his desire to make UW Carbone Cancer Center his designated charity.
On the other side of the globe, Retro stake pool, operated by Beau and Emily from Australia, has a committed mission and big dreams as well. With an extensive background in IT and marketing and a passion for all things Cardano, this pool will surely be around for some time. They are already pursuing some novel reward mechanisms for delegators, including a limited series of NFTs.
As a mission driven pool they support two charities: Cure Cancer AU and The Sony Foundation. Cure Cancer AU is an organization that funds all types of cancer research by early career scientists. Their philosophy is that more funding should be available to young researchers, at the beginning of their careers. They partner with the best research institutions in Australia to make sure their researchers have the best chance at success. To date Cure Cancer AU has raised over 81 million dollars and funded 534 research grants.
The Sony Foundation Australia is focused on youth related causes. The Sony companies contribute to the administrative costs of the Foundation, which allows the net proceeds of funds raised to go to all of their youth related causes. One of their primary focuses is on young cancer patients who have slightly different needs than older patients. The Sony Foundation actually worked with the Federal Government and Canteen to establish a network of youth cancer centers in Australia. The Sony Foundation also has a number of other youth related programs, including Youth off the Streets, Children's Holiday Camps and Musicians Making a Difference. All of these are designed to improve the lives of young people. If you want to learn more about the Sony Foundation, check out their video here.
Both Antrix and Retro are small stake pools with big hearts and goals. If Cardano teaches us one thing its that individuals can combine their efforts in order to have a big impact on our community and the world. If the charitable causes here appeal to you, please consider delegating your Cardano to Antrix and Retro stake pools.
By Traveler Jo | CardanoArmy.io
You can find Traveler Jo somewhere close to the sea. She loves Cardano, kayaking and food - not necessarily in that order. She's busy exploring the world, always in the company of her husband, tired dog and indignant felines.