The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Reinforcing their faith in life after cancer

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 12, 2007
ePaper


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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reinforcing their faith in life after cancer

Staff Reporter

`Survivors' come together for a cheerful evening of song and dance

CELEBRATING LIFE: Cancer survivors at a function organised by Vasantha Memorial Trust in Chennai on Sunday. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI: They took everything with a cheer — the loud music, the bouncy dance numbers and, of course, the tales of pain, recovery and survival from fellow cancer survivors.

More than 100 persons gathered at Hotel New Woodlands on Sunday morning with their families to reinforce their faith in life after battling cancer and being medically declared `survivors.'

Organised by the Vasantha Memorial Trust, an organisation for cancer care and cure, the Day saw survivors light the `kuthuvilakku', listen to various television actors and sit through music and dance performances by city college students.

"Out of the 128 persons, 25 are undergoing treatment. This is the second time we are organising this programme in Chennai. And we have more survivors today," noted trustee J. Ramanathan, an oncologist with the Kovai Medical Centre. Dr. Ramanathan also went on stage to calm the restive crowd and appeal for more volunteers to help cancer patients as well as organise similar morale-boosting events. He was later quizzed by Saroja, a retired school headmistress and a breast cancer survivor.

"I know all the doctors here (Chennai). So where do you practise? Is Vasantha your mother?" The doctor, smiling, replied that he was based in Coimbatore and would soon shift to Chennai. "Yes. The Trust is in memory of my mother who died of cancer."

The aim of the day was to reiterate that there was life after cancer. "Seeing our patients in such a celebratory mood improves our morale as well," explained the doctor.

The spirit of the day was best exemplified in the cheery optimism struck by Natarajan, 60, who had come from Sembakkam with his wife Kamakshi. "People look at us and think my wife is the patient," he laughed. It has been a year since doctors said Natarajan was "normal". His symptoms started with severe neck pain and malignant growth.

"Now I am fine and it feels good to come to a place where there is music and dance. Better than a hospital," he added, before rushing to catch his lunch. For details, contact Trust at 47/2, Champak Villa, 47th Street, Ashok Nagar, or call 98940 89370 or email vasanthamemorial

@gmail.com

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