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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : September 24, 2014 6:52 PM IST
Ritu Bhalla gasps for breath as she practices her steps for an awareness flashmob she and her friends are performing. After hurriedly sipping water from a bottle, she joins the group. Ritu, a two-time blood cancer survivor, completed her treatment at AIIMS, aided by NGO Cankids in 2004. The dance troupe's practice session at the NGO's Delhi centre is a build up for the 7th National Childhood Cancer Annual Award function being organised by Cankids on AIIMS Day Sep 25, to honour the fighting spirit of children with cancer and thank the Institute for its support.
'This is the seventh year that Cankids is running the awards programme,' said Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman Cankids a national society for change for childhood cancer that today serves through 41 centres across the country. 'Children who excel despite their long and painful cancer treatment, convey a powerful message to society that cancer is a disease that can be tackled with a positive attitude and spirit,' Bagai told IANS.
Over 1,100 child cancer patients and survivors applied for this year's awards through the NGOs centres and all applicants will receive medals and certificates at functions to be held at hospitals where they undergo treatment. The limelight during the AIIMS Day function would be on 14 children who have been selected for their outstanding achievements in academic, creative and extra-curricular activities by our eminent panel of judges from academics, oncology and public life, Bagai said.
All the awardees will travel to Delhi to receive their awards from chief guest and AIIMS Director M.C. Mishra, she said. The dance troupe's preparations for the award function have peaked. Giving Bhalla company in the practice session are 10 other blood cancer survivors, all of whom have been treated at AIIMS. Chandan Kumar, 22, talked about the pressure that the performers were feeling ahead of the show.
'This is our tribute to the hospital where we all underwent cancer treatment. It is our way of saying thank you to our wonderful doctors. But we are nervous because we want it to go really well,' he said. Chandan Kumar is reminded of the days when he was fighting blood cancer, and the myths that his family members harboured. 'I still remember, how may family members literally went into a mourning when I was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2005. They started blaming my diet to pollution, virtually everything. They were convinced I was going to die,' said the Hindi honours undergraduate student from Delhi University.
Piyush Narayan, another dancer and blood cancer survivor, said: 'We are running a leukemia warriors campaign. If you know someone who has had blood cancer and want to honour him or her, we want you to tell us and upload the information on our Facebook page.' 'It is important to spread the message,' he said. Kapil Chawla, another survivor who heads the Cankids awareness department, said: 'We have created a Factoid which is important for the public. We have done a lot of research and interviewed many of the doctors. It is important for parents and children to know the facts.' 'Leukemia warriors are a symbol of hope. Correct information is very important in fighting cancer and we need the media to help us in spreading awareness,' he said.
What is Leukaemia?
White blood cells (leukocytes) form part of the body's immune system and help defend the body against infection. Cancer of these blood cells is known as leukaemia, commonly called 'blood cancer'. Based on the type of white blood cells that are affected and the rate at which they develop leukaemia is classified as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). CML is the commonest adult leukaemia in India.
Genes, diet, hormones, exposure to high levels of radiation or chemicals such as benzene, chemotherapy drugs (to treat another cancer), pre-existing blood disorders and smoking could act as risk factors. Children with chromosomal abnormalities (Down's syndrome, Fanconi's anaemia) have also been reported to be at a higher risk of developing leukaemia.
Leukaemia usually does not present with any symptoms at first and may be diagnosed by chance during a blood test. Lymph node biopsy in acute leukaemia establishes how far the leukaemia has spread. Acute leukaemia requires immediate treatment because it progresses rapidly and aggressively. Chronic leukaemia progresses slowly over the course of many years. The most effective method of treating leukaemia is chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is usually used in acute leukaemia to treat advanced cases of acute leukaemia that have spread to the nervous system and/or brain and to prepare the body for a bone marrow transplant. Bonemarrow or stem cell transplant is an alternative treatment option for some patients. Read more about Leukaemia the blood cancer
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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