The Hindu : Front Page : Evening of music, musing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 13, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Evening of music, musing

R. Sujatha

Survivors hold aloft pen torches to mark victory over cancer. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: Celebrities achieved what money or medicines seldom do for cancer survivors, who assembled at Vani Mahal to observe the Cancer Survivors Day on Sunday.

Holding aloft pen torches, the survivors walked up to the stage where they helped vocalist Sudha Raghunathan lit the ceremonial lamp at the event got up by Vasantha Memorial Trust.

The celebrities sang to lift the spirits of everyone.

With financial support from charitable organisations and committed efforts of volunteers of the 12-year-old organisation, life has turned better for some patients .

"It is the care, warmth and feeling that these people need. It is not [just] the money or medicines that will make them want to live longer," Mrs. Ragunathan said and rendered `Kurai onrum illai.'

Playback singer Chitra said: "I lost my parents to cancer 10 years ago. At that time, there was nothing called palliative care. There was no one to give them the courage to get through and overcome the disease." She sang `Ovvoru pookalume' from the Tamil film, `Autograph'. G.K. Ramamurthy, chairman of GKR Charities, participated.

Household articles made by the survivors were on sale.A music show by Udhaya Raagam was interspersed with survivors narrating their experiences.

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