Fight fear of cancer, says actor Vivek

It’s the day to bring happiness and awareness among cancer patients that they can fight the disease. Every year, September 22 is observed as Rose Day for supporting people across the world fighting cancer. On Sunday, the Paterson Cancer Center celebrated the day by sharing positive stories and loads of surprises for cancer patients. The event was organised in association with the Cancer Alleviation Foun­da­tion (Calf), a charitable trust that works with the aim of creating a cancer-free society, and the Cancer Patients Aid Associ­a­tion (CPAA). Those who fought the disease encouraged patients and instilled confidence in them that cancer is curable. Rose Day is celebrated in memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose from Ca­nada, who was diagnosed a rare form of blood cancer, and the day is dedicated to those battling cancer. Actor Vivek who was present at the celebration said fear was the worst disease. He recalled the teachings of Swami Vivekan­anda on courage and faith as a means to overcome disease and lead a healthy life. “Cinema is the medium that created the impression that cancer is incurable. Though many movies that were based on cancer were huge successes at the box office, in reality they only brought a lot of fear,” he said, encouraging patients to live with hope. Mr S.B. Khanthan, creative director of XL HENSZ, insisted on the importance of boosting the confidence level of the patient in the treatment for overcoming the disease. Dr V. Kannan, Prof and HoD, department of oncology, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, recalled his personal experience in the treatment of cancer and emphasised that cancer is curable. K. Gurumurthy, director, Paterson Cancer Center, distributed support kits to patients and the ambassadors.