The inspirational lives of cancer survivors

September 24, 2011 03:31 am | Updated 03:56 am IST - CHENNAI:

Nupur Mitra (right), Executive Director, IOB and S.Ve. Shekher, actor, interact with patients on the occasion of Rose Day in Chennai on Thursday. Actor Madan Bob is in the picture. Photo: M. Vedhan

Nupur Mitra (right), Executive Director, IOB and S.Ve. Shekher, actor, interact with patients on the occasion of Rose Day in Chennai on Thursday. Actor Madan Bob is in the picture. Photo: M. Vedhan

T. George Nesian, a retired sub-registrar, calmly listened as his wife recollected his fight against cancer. His biggest worry was that his hair will fall due to the treatment. “Thankfully, it did not. I was very impressed with the approach and the teamwork shown by the doctors and nurses at the Paterson Cancer Centre,” he said.

The couple, who hail from Karungal in Kanyakumari district, were in the city to take part in the Rose Day celebrations at the Paterson Cancer Centre (PCC) here on Thursday. The PCC, along with Cancer Alleviation Foundation (CALF) and Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) organised the event that was inaugurated by Nupur Mitra, Executive Director, Indian Overseas Bank.

“Rose Day is celebrated in memory of Melinda Rose, who was diagnosed with askin's tumour which is a rare form of cancer,” said S. Vijayaraghavan, Managing Director and Chief Clinical Oncologist, PCC. “Melinda spent a lot of time comforting and writing to cancer patients to motivate them,” he said.

At the event, ‘Cancer Ambassadors' (cancer survivors) encouraged and spread smiles among patients. The smiles came naturally as the celebrations saw actors such as S. Ve. Shekher, Crazy Balaji and Madan Bob distribute roses and share jokes with the patients. “Tamil cinema and television is cancer's biggest enemy as violins will immediately start playing in the background if someone is diagnosed with cancer on screen making them feel their life is over,” said Mr. Shekher. “Self-confidence and faith in the doctor will help overcome the disease,” he added.

Attitude is the key to overcoming hardships, said actor Madan Bob. Creating awareness of cancer is the key to battling it and a pledge should be taken to educate the common public about health risks, said R.Sriram, district director, Community Service-Health, Rotary International District 3230. R. Veerabahu, advisor, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, C.P.Dwarakanath, general manager, NATCO pharmaceuticals and J.V.Ramani, CALF participated.

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