Cancer Patients Aid Association's (CPAA) E-newsletter: November - December 2012: Total Management of Cancer ; Rose Day 2012

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

New Delhi

Worlds of Wonder, Delhi's biggest amusement park, has invited childhood cancer patients and their care-givers to an exciting 'Fun Day' to commemorate World Cancer Day on 4th February 2013. Fun Day promises these young warriors an amazing day of exciting rides, entertainment and music.

CPAA, Delhi along with Rotary Club of Delhi Safdarjung started a Support Group for Breast Cancer patients at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the eve of International Women's Day last year and held five bi-monthly meetings in 2012 subsequent to that. To observe completion of one year of this endeavour a day-long workshop with a panel discussion by different experts is to be held at Jawahar Auditorium, AIIMS for Breast Cancer survivors on 8th March 2013.

A Diwali celebration was organised for the patients at the ACTREC center at Kharghar on 12th November. CPAA's Halima Aurangabadkar organised a lunch and gifts for 100 patients there.

A Patient-Donor meet was organised by CPAA at YMCA, Colaba by Naraindas Morbai Budhrani Trust on 24th December. 30 patients along with their attendants meet the kind samaritans from the trust who had been instrumental in their treatment. The patients were happy to meet their benefactors and to be able to express their gratitude towards them. The members too got an opportunity to know them and personally enquire about their well-being.

Teal & Pink: Healthy women raise healthy families

Epidemiological analysis indicate a rising trend in the incidence of Cervical and Breast Cancers in India, with breast cancer the number one cancer in several metropolitan cities, and cervical cancer the most common cancer in females in India. Faulty lifestyle contributes to the increasing burden of cancer. Despite both breast and cervical cancers amenable to early detection by screening for the cancers, and cervical cancer a preventable cancer, in India 135,000 new cases of cervical cancers and 100,000 new cases of breast cancers are diagnosed every year. The high mortality in these cancers is due to ignorance, misconceptions and unawareness. Hence, Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) has put in resources and efforts to raise Awareness and promote Early Detection in cancer. CPAA conducts awareness programs at schools, colleges, factories, hotels, residential localities and offices, to inform the audience regarding the correlation between faulty lifestyles and breast and cervical cancer.

Actor Aamir Khan, who is known to support pertinent social causes, also observes that, "It's important for women to educate themselves and know the signs and symptoms of cancer. Early diagnosis can save your life. I applaud the efforts taken by NGO's like CPAA in trying to reach out to women and inform them about this." Actor Imran Khan adds, "Women's health is a very important and breast and cervical cancer is a prominent menace that can easily be fought through awareness."

As a part of these efforts, CPAA and C'est la Vie came together for Teal & Pink - an informative and fun-filled afternoon for women at C'est la Vie, Bandra on 8th December 2012. Inspired by its noble work, eminent designer Anita Dongre has joined hands with CPAA to become the Brand Ambassador for this event. She says, "Cancer is on the rise globally and there is no efficient way to fight it, than to prevent its spread. Early detection is vital as it increases the survival rate. Through this event I would urge women to not shy away from regular check-ups." She further adds, "I extend my complete support and appreciation to CPAA for their active role in creating awareness and arming women with the required information to prevent the spread of cervical and breast cancer."

Actress Katrina Kaif was the chief guest for the launch of this program at C'est la Vie. She felicitated women patients who have won the their battle against cancer, at the event. Rita Chatterjee, a volunteer with CPAA and a cancer survivor herself gave a first-hand account of her journey and victory. The awareness presentation on vital information about breast and cervical cancers - signs and symptoms, risk factors and treatment options proved to be informative and thought-provoking to all women present. View Gallery

On 23rd November, as a part of their Impact Day activities, Deloitte India invited 50 childhood cancer patients to a special show at the Nehru Planetarium. Their volunteers organised an entertaining afternoon with games, drawing competitions and above all the Planetarium show for these patients. The programme ended with lunch and take away gifts for them.

The Psychology department of Ruia College, Mumbai invited CPAA's faculty to conduct their Psycho-oncology volunteer training workshop. This workshop was conducted from 17th - 19th December for their 3rd year psychology students. View Gallery

STATISTICS
(November - December 2012)

Cancer Screening

Camps / Clinics	31
Screenings	832
Suspected cases	304
Detected cases	1

Patient Care

Total Aid - Rs. 10,17,206
Patients Aided	432
Patients Counselled	3,185
Information/Literature	2,230
Ward / room visits	743
Transport service	2,178

Cancer Insurance Policy
(1994 to December 2012)

Active policy holders	12,280
Detected cases	214
Survivors	167
Money Disbursed	Rs. 4.6 million

NEW DELHI BRANCH:

Public Awareness & Exhibition on Childhood Cancer: CPAA, Delhi was invited to participate in a public lecture and exhibition held on 10th November at Jawaharlal Auditorium, (AIIMS). This was an initiative taken by their Pediatric Department to observe Global Childhood Cancer Day. On this occasion CPAA displayed their activities as well as created a mock play room where children participated in different activities such as painting, storytelling, indoor games, video film etc. Prof. R C Deka, Director, AIIMS inaugurated this exhibition and applauded CPAA’s contribution for the cause for past 32 years through AIIMS.

Children’s Day: The members of Lioness Club of Parinita were invited by CPAA, Delhi to donate toys and nutritional supplements to the patients undergoing treatment in the Pediatric wards of AIIMS on 18th November for Children’s Day. They also donated anti fungal medicines for the Pediatric Department of AIIMS. Childhood cancer patients undergoing treatment are often prone to fungal infections. The effective drugs for treating them are very expensive and hence this gesture was well appreciated.

Breast Cancer bi-monthly Support Group meeting: The 5th bi-monthly Support Group meeting was held on 4th December at AIIMS. Dr. M C Misra (Head of Surgery & Trauma Center, AIIMS) addressed the issues related to post-surgery pain of Breast Cancer survivors. This meeting was very satisfying for participants and fruitful for CPAA, as each lady got an opportunity to discuss her case individually and seek advice from the expert. Mrs Arunrekha Gogia (President Rotary Club of Delhi Safdarjung) a Lymphedema expert demonstrated some simple arm exercises and how to tie the bandages to prevent Lymphedema.

Christmas Party at AIIMS: CPAA’s Santa Clause visited the Pediatric wards at AIIMS to bring festive cheers amongst the children undergoing chemotherapy and cancer treatment with lots of goodies on 24th December. The gifts were sponsored by Fidelity Information Services (FIS) and their executives took time out of their busy schedule to participate in the party. Children in the play room managed by CPAA welcomed FIS team and sang hymns and Christmas carols. Resident doctors and nurses participated in this function whole heartedly.

Cancer Detection Camps: A Cancer detection camp was organized in association with Vidya Foundation at Okhala Center on 7th November. 34 women and 48 children were screened during this camp.

Cancer awareness and detection camp at Tihar Jail: CPAA, Delhi with the initiative of the Director General of Tihar Jail organised a breast cancer awareness and screening program for it's female inmates on 6th November. They were taught Breast self-examination supported by brochures. Another detection camp for 85 women was organised on 19th December with the assistance of an on-site mammography van from Medanta: Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon. 7 of the women were referred for mammogram from which 2 were detected as suspected cases and referred for further tests.

PUNE BRANCH:

Diwali Celebration : CPAA celebrated Diwali with 55 patients and relatives at Hotel Oasis with a delicious lunch followed by games and a dance program. The Inner Wheel Club of Pune Downtown sponsored the gifts for the patients, while Penosh arranged for their conveyance. The Pune Merchant Chambers and Mrs. Ujjawala Nahar arranged to distribute special Diwali treats.

Christmas Celebration: CPAA joined hands with the Rotary Club of Pune Central, the Inner wheel Club of Pune Central, The Poona Club Ltd. and Grant A Smile to organise a Christmas Party for childhood cancer patients and their family members on 18th December. The children danced to music and enjoyed the tasty treats, while Santa distributed gifts. Mrs. Sheron Motwani of Copper Chocs distributed her special chocolates amongst the children. Later on 24th December, CPAA volunteers played Santa for the patients receiving treatment at the OPD of Sassoon Hospital by distributing a goody bag of utility items.

Awareness Talk: On 19th December, an awareness talk was organised for the 150 workers and staff of Grupo Antolin Pune Pvt. Ltd. at Ranjangaon. Dr Chetan Deshmukh gave a lecture on Oral cancer - general symptoms, causes and prevention.

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