The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A message of cheer for children with cancer

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 21, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A message of cheer for children with cancer

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, SEPT. 20. Perhaps words of encouragement from friends who share the same illness has more power to heal. That was why children at the cancer ward in the Institute of Child Health reserved the loudest applause for a friend who sang the hit song `Ovvoru pookkalumae' from the film `Autograph'.

Volunteers from Can Stop and Lioness Club of Meenambakkam besides Lt. Col. Sunil Dingra, Commanding officer of National Cadet Corps directorate, were at the ward today to cheer children on the occasion of Cancer Rose Day, which will be observed on Wednesday. The NCC has recently been roped into spreading the message that early detection of cancer could prevent death.

Students from Ethiraj College and Rotaract members, the youth wing of Rotary Club, put up a variety show.

As the children are still preparing for the big day when they will exhibit their talent as singers, dancers and mimicry experts, they had to be coaxed into performing today.

Dinesh, who danced to a song from `Boyz', is now in standard VII, though he should be in class XI. His father was a watchman in an apartment complex till last year when he had an accident and lost his job. His sisters have taken up jobs. The happy news is that after three years of chemotherapy Dinesh is back in school. He thanks everyone including God who made it possible.

Canstop, which has been observing Rose Day for seven years now, gave away toilet kits to the children.

The kits were sponsored by various business houses and food shops in the city.

Canstop will also go to the Government Women and Children's Hospital, the Government General Hospital and the Government Hospital at Kancheepuram in the coming days, said Vijaya Bharati Rangarajan, founder of Canstop, an outreach programme of Sundaram Medical Foundation.

Sue Innes, wife of the British Deputy High Commissioner, South India, gave away a cheque for Rs. 20,000 in support of Canstop.

Ms. Innes said British Business Social Club-Association, a non-profit organisation, raised the fund from social events held by the club.

The money will be used to buy drugs for cancer treatment, said M. Venkata Desikalu, head, Hematology department of the ICH.

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