Widening reach and strengthening hope

The V Care Foundation begun with the aim of giving cancer patients an "access to a holistic healing environment" and today it celebrated 20 years of service for the same. The Cancer Survivors' Day celebration started on February 8 and will go on till February 22 in many parts of the satellite city and in Mumbai.

In the past one week, the organisation's volunteers along with the founder have not only paid tribute to survivors by lauding their fighting spirit, determination and courage but have also reached out to scores of common people, imparting essential information about recognising warning signs and acting on it.

"Most people take their body for granted and are always under the notion that cancer cannot happen to them. However, it is important that you should not only be aware and be prepared for the worst but also lead a healthy lifestyle that keeps the disease at bay," said Vandana Gupta, founder of V care. She also stressed on the fact that 75% of cancer cases are oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer that are certainly preventable by being proactive and bringing about specific changes in one's lifestyle.

V Care's awareness drives were mainly conducted in Vashi's Raghuleela Mall and will continue till February 15 and 16. Distributing pamphlets that detailed on the warning signals and action to be taken and interacting with visitors in a detailed manner is the main focus. A flash mob will be held today in the mall to hold the attention of visitors and brief them on the essentials.

In D Y Patil Medical College in Nerul, a poster competition was held and the students who volunteered also distributed the V Care 'Caution & Action' pamphlets in various shopping outlets and restaurants, for it to be given to the customers along with bills.

"It is satisfying that we have been able to widen our reach and create awareness among many people," added Gupta. Cancer patients from Assam Bhavan in Vashi and Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Kharghar apart from those in Gadge Maharaj Dharamshala and Nana Palkar Seva Sadhan got the opportunity to interact with cancer survivors who shared their experience of battling the disease.

Jatin Panchal was one among many who was given the Victor Awards. Panchal was diagonosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in May 2008 and recovered fully a year later. "I had to undergo knee-replacement apart from chemotherapy for treatment. However, recovery was faster mainly because the cancer was detected at an early stage and duly treated," said Panchal who has been associated with V Care for the past six months. He adds, "The only message I would like to give other cancer patients is to be sure to learn all you can about the disease from the doctor and other sources. Also, one should never lose the will power and determination. As much as doctors can do, it would all be of little help if the patient and the family are not strong."

From having a music programme for the patients and their family members to distributing gifts and conducting a photo-shoot, there have been many other activities which have been conducted in the last one week. "Mall officials in all the areas have been very cooperative for all our activities. We will also be holding a documentary screening in Raghuleela Mall detailing on the activities of V Care," said Jyoti Patil Shah, a volunteer who has been associated with the foundation for six years.