 Cancer Survivors Day
Over 250 cancer survivors gathered at Vani Mahal in T Nagar, Chennai, on February 12, 2006, to observe the Cancer Survivors Day organised by the Vasantha Memorial Trust, founded in memory of Vasantha on December 4, 1993. It operates from Coimbatore, Mumbai, Chennai and
Bangalore.
In its 12 years of crusade, it has sponsored 190 patients with varied cancers and conducted more than 70 detection camps screening over 6,000 people. It lays tremendous stress on creating awareness about this dreaded disease. This programme has reached lakhs of citizens in Tamil Nadu. Mumbai, Gujarat and Karnataka.
Special campaigns, anti tobacco drive and breast cancer awareness has readied targeted audiences in hundreds of thousands. Its newsletter, The Cancer Chronicle, reaches 10,000 households educating them about cancer each month. The organisation is run solely by volunteers who hail from different walks of life. The trust raises funds through donations, benefit concerts, jumble sale and special endowments.
In India, the second Saturday of February is observed as Cancer Survivors day. It is the day when the victorious collect and relate their stories of valour and triumph and inspire those who are on this road. It also collects people who have cheered them to win. Such an assembly of people generates a joy that is in multitudes.
Noted Carnatic musician Sudha Ragunathan lit the traditional lamp while Carnatic musician and film playback singer P Unnikrishnan sang some melodies. Popular playback singer Chitra sang her award-winning song 'Ovvoru Pookkalu Me' from the film 'Autograph' and inspired all the cancer survivors.
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