CPAA's Cancer Connect: A snapshot of Cancer Patient Aid Association’s activities: Jan-Feb 2014

World Cancer Day

Mumbai: Simon Smith from Sand Cult - Sand Sculpting Company created an impressive sand art sculpture in the courtyard area of the bustling Phoenix Mills Mall at Lower Parel, Mumbai. This art was created free of cost on the occasion of World Cancer Day to raise funds for CPAA.

An open forum program on breast and cervical cancer was held on 3rd February at Ramkrishna Shikshan Mandal Sanskruti Bhavan, Kandivali, Mumbai for 200 staff members and parents of its Bal Niketan Primary School. The speaker panel comprised of Dr. Mandakini Purandare (Gynaecologist), Dr. Prashant Nyati (Oncologist), Neeta More (Executive Director, CPAA), Suvrata Gharge (Manager, Mahindra Tractors).

The second open forum program on breast and cervical cancer was held on 4th February for over 250 women staff of the Naval Dockyard. Dr. Vani Parmar (Onco-surgeon), Dr. Prashant Nyati (Oncologist), Neeta More (Executive Director, CPAA), Mr. R P Singh (Surgeon Comm, Naval Dockyard) were the speakers at the forum. Actress Varsha Usgaonkar was the chief guest.

New Delhi: In a unique initiative childhood cancer patients were taken to the Traffic Training Park at Roshanara, old Delhi to acquaint them of general traffic rules. A virtual depiction of a typical busy city road along-with mini two wheelers and helmets helped children understand safety through practical riding.

On the eve of World Cancer Day, CPAA participated in the show 'Health Talk' on DD News along with Prof. Julka (Dean, AIIMS) and Prof M C Misra (Director, AIIMS). Short movie clips of CPAA's activities at AIIMS and interviews were shown during the show.

Pune: A Cancer Awareness Talk was held at Amanora Mall on 8th February. It covered topics like common myths associated with cancer, causes and symptoms. Brochures giving information about various types of cancers were also distributed. Shiamak Davar's group through their Victory Arts Foundation performed on the latest bollywood songs numbers and entertained the gathering there.

Mumbai:

The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is the biggest charity event in India and the Asian sub-continent. Over the last 5 years, CPAA has participated in it to raise funds for the treatment of cancer patients. This year CPAA was able to raise Rs. 24 lakhs to become the highest fund-raising charity in the field of 'Health'. Actress Tara Sharma ran the marathon as CPAA's ambassador, while employees of HSBC and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd participated through the corporate challenge.

A psycho-oncology volunteer training workshop was conducted on 18th and 19th January for the members of the NGO 'Race to rein-in-cancer'. This newly established NGO at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat was initiated by Rita Banik. This programme was highly appreciated by the participants. Sharing their experiences inspired them to face life with courage and smile and the realization that they are not alone in this fight.

A cancer awareness lecture was organised in Technip KT India Ltd, Andheri, Mumbai on 4th February for their employees. Dr. Ravindra Ambardekar was the guest speaker. Another cancer awareness lecture was held at NAB on 24th February for 27 individuals.

New Delhi:

CPAA Delhi organised a program for the students of IIT Delhi on 'Awareness & Prevention of Head Injury & Road Safety' in association with Indian Head Injury Foundation. The lecture covered problems of road safety and trauma, methods to prevent traumatic injuries, pre-hospital care for a person with traumatic injuries, hospital care to the students and first aid to a person who meets a road accident. This was followed by a cancer awareness and anti-tobacco program. Over a hundred students attended this program. The presenter, Dr. Deepali Kapoor, began with a quiz, to check their knowledge about cigarette ingredients, impact of tobacco and nicotine on the human body and various types of cancer. This was followed by a presentation, designed to catch people young and prevent them from taking even the first puff. She shared personal experiences to make the students realise the serious implications of tobacco consumption. The event concluded with a short presentation on Smoking Habits based on a survey conducted by NSS IIT Delhi in October amongst its students. The survey results served as a fair warning to the students to be wary of smoking, and help others who are suffering to quit.

Vandana Natu conducted a telephonic counseling workshop for 10 Breast Cancer Survivors on telephonic counseling on 17th January. The purpose of this workshop was to train the survivors to help newly diagnosed cases through their anxiety. Queries regarding social issues which they cannot discuss with their doctors or family member were also addressed.

'Fun Day' was organised for our patients at National Bal Bhavan on 31st January. The program kicked-off with a performance by school children, aimed at sensitizing the young school kids about the cause. Enthusiastic students from 5 schools performed bharatnatyam, kathak and contemporary dance forms as well as some latest moves from popular bollywood numbers. Under privileged students from Government Schools were trained by Bal Bhavan teachers to present a play depicting the art and culture of a village in India. As curtains dropped the patients and school children got together on the stage and danced their heart out. It was indeed a fun-filled day for patients and participants alike. The patients received a goody bag with blankets, gifts and chocolates.

A cancer screening camp was held for 58 women at the Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association (CGWWA) at Noida on 5 February. Mammogram tests were done for all the women over the age of 40 in a mobile mammogram van, in consultation with the doctor.

Rashmi Warty presented her poster on 'Stress releasing and confidence building activities to address the emotional and coping issues in palliative care of Pediatric Oncology' at the 1st International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) Conference held between 10th -12th February at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

In Memoriam:

CPAA and the art fraternity mourns the loss of eminent artists Prafulla Dahanukar and Shyam Kanu Borthakur. They supported CPAA's 'Colours of Life' through their beautiful works for almost a decade. May their soul rest in peace and may their legacy live through their work.

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