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"Conquering Cancer, Mind Over Matter" In November 2004, CPAA, Bangalore organised a performance of Pratap Sharma's play, "Zen Katha" produced by the Primetime Theatre company and directed by well known theatre personality, Lillette Dubey. The play covers the journey of a prince who became a Buddhist monk. The play was supported by Kiran M. Shaw of Biocon, Nandan and Rohini, Deepa Jhaveri, Pep Kumar and the Taj Group. Many hospitals, doctors and volunteers also helped the staging of the play to become a reality.
The Bangalore Branch started in July 1994. Their activities include
The Branch has been especially successful in their Fundraising endeavours which include Art for Hope in 1995, Sham-e-Awadh in 1996, the 3M Golf Tournament in 1997 and Close Up Antakshari in 1998. To view the typical monthly activities of the Banaglore branch Click here The
Delhi Branch was started by Mrs. Urmila Zutshi, a naval officer’s wife,
who was associated with CPAA in Mumbai. When she moved to Delhi, she started
CPAA activities in partnership with the Rotary Club at the Rotary Cancer
Hospital. Mrs. Kiran Hukku, who is now the head of CPAA’s Delhi branch,
has carried on from these initial efforts. Since then, activities have
been started at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), at
Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan (LNJP) and Safdarjung Hospitals. At these
three centres, CPAA provides medical aid, food, toys, books and counseling
to cancer patients. Patients from Punjab, Rajasthan, Assam, Bihar and
villages around Delhi, about 60,000 in all, have been provided assistance
over the years. The centre arranges Funds
are raised through ghazal and music programmes, film premiers, celebrity
dinners and fashion shows which have been arranged at the Siri Fort auditorium
and Ashoka Hotel. Recently, a new initiative was launched in the form
of the "Friends of CPAA". A number of high profile personalities
from various backgrounds, the media, public service and artistes have
been asked to give their backing to CPAA in its efforts. Those who have
expressed their willingness include Mr. Pawan Verma of the Foreign Service;
Ms. Manpreet Brar, past Miss India; Ms. Shovana Narain, IAS officer and
well-known danseuse; Mr. Shiv Jatia, head of the Hyatt Group of hotels;
Mr. Jawahar Wattal, music director and Mr. Sohail Seth. Early in 1999, the branch was contacted by a team of visiting cytologists from UK, Australia and US on a visit to Delhi. Having heard about CPAA from the website, the group wanted to learn more about the activities of NGOs in India. The meeting provided the impetus for the organisation of a seminar at AIIMS by Dr. Mohini Nair, a renowned cytologist and friend of CPAA, during which Indian cytologists had the opportunity to interact with authorities in their field and learn about the latest trends.
Rose Day is held every year on 22nd September when everyone is invited to join us in giving a rose to every cancer patient in the city and create a special day for him or her.
The Delhi branch also organises "Bachchon Ki Phulwari", a playgroup for children undergoing treatment for cancer. Here you see the children express themselves through colouring pictures which can be a therapeutic activity. This picture has been made by Amit Dahiya. "We are concerned with improving the quality of life if not the span of life," remarked Ms. Kiran Hukku. If you would like to contact CPAA’s Delhi branch, click here. To read about Delhi Branch activities click here >>. CPAA’s New Delhi Branch Celebrates Fun Day 2000
Volunteers escorted the patients along with their family members from all over Delhi, to the immensely popular Amusement Park. The programme started with performances from patients who willingly went on the stage to entertain friends and family. This was followed by an interesting presentation by Vigyan Manch. Celebrities, Manpreet Brar, Sushma Seth and Ruchi Malhotra were on hand to add cheer. The highlight of the day was a routine by Punjabi pop star, Bhupi Chawla, who got everyone’s feet tapping and hands clapping. Patients and audience alike joined the artistes on the stage and danced with great gusto. A number of school children were present as volunteers to assist CPAA representatives. All of them expressed their joy and satisfaction in being able to bring happiness into the lives of those struggling so valiantly against this disease. Appu Ghar, CPAA’s friends and associates in this endeavour every year, provided a delicious meal. Besides this, each patient received a special gift, clothes, sweaters, pouches, toys, biscuits, snacks and Coke cans. The generosity of Crax Namkeens who provided T-shirts, Coca Cola who donated pouches as well as the Coke cans and Tops who gave juices for the event must be mentioned. It was an extremely successful day on all fronts and will remain a pleasant memory in the minds of everyone involved.
Ms. Dolly Rizvi started the Pune Branch in late 1995 when she moved there after 17 years with CPAA in Mumbai. The first office was started in her own residence. In September 1995, the branch moved to a one room office at Shri Polyclinic on Nagar Road and finally, in 1998, a permanent roof was found at Uttam Towers. The facilities include a multipurpose hall where awareness lectures, detection camps, presentations, a playgroup and rehearsals for programmes are held. The Pune Branch activities include
Medical Aid: Patients are referred to CPAA by Sassoon, KEM, Inlaks, Budhrani, Ruby, Poona, Sanjeevani Hospitals and by doctors and social workers from rural areas. CPAA funds radiation treatment when required, supplementary diet like Complan, milk powder and biscuits are given. About 380 patients have been aided in the past 5 years. About 5 new patients are registered every month. Distribution of Food grains: About 55 patients are given 12 kgs of food grains, rice, wheat, dal, sugar, nachni and sabudana before the 10th of every month. This is made possible by generous donations from local merchants.
Hamari Baaten: A sponsored newsletter called "Hamari Baaten" is published every 4 months which covers CPAA activities, latest news and articles of interest. This helps to publicise our projects. Read the latest issue of Hamari Baaten. Click here. Today CPAA’s Pune branch has the support of a number of companies and individuals. This has been made possible by tireless efforts on the part of the Director, Ms. Maruque Mehta, Ms. Jayshree Lilani & her team |
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camps every month. A free detection camp was held on 22nd February, 2001
at Herman Gmeiner Hospital, SOS Village, Anangpur, Faridabad for the women
of the village under the "Well Women" scheme. 70 women were screened by
Dr. Mohini Nayyar, cytologist and President of Indian Academy of Cytology;
Dr. S. Kaul, gynaecologist and Dr. S. Gupta, pathologist. The Cancer Insurance
Policy is also administered from Delhi. 
The group intends to meet once a month and hold brainstorming sessions
regarding CPAA’s progress. The "Empress Club" has also communicated
their desire to support CPAA through their activities in February 2000,
which will include a cooking class from a well-known chef. Various schools
and colleges support our activities. CPAA delivers awareness lectures
at these educational centres to give cancer related information. 
A
regular feature of the Delhi branch activities is the annual Fun Day and
Rose Day. Fun Day is held at the end of February when the weather in Delhi
is at its best. The amusement park, Appu Ghar, throws open its doors for
the patients, some terminally ill, who are encouraged to take as many
rides as they wish. Food and games are organised and woolens and gifts
are distributed. Shops in Janpath contribute generously towards this event.
A number of celebrities participate and well-known singers, organised
by Mr. Jawahar Wattal, entertain the group. It is always heartening to
see them join in and put every effort to ensure that a good time is had
by all. Shatrughan Sinha and Manpreet Brar are examples of VIPs who danced
and played with the children last year with no airs. Mrs. Hukku relates
the story about a woman who arrived on a wheelchair, but got up and danced
along with everyone. Elderly ladies join in and are later seen pressing
their legs. Volunteers feel their efforts are worthwhile when the patients
say that they had forgotten that they are ill. 
CPAA’s
Delhi branch organised Fun Day on 18th December, 2000 at Appu Ghar.
Preparations
involved hard work and planning on the part of Ms. Kiran Hukku, Director
of the branch and her team, Ms. Niharika Raina, Ms. Manju Dhar, Ms. Sudha
Murgai and Ms. Kerman Moitra. Gifts were packed; the venue and entertainment
programme was organised; celebrities were contacted; transport was arranged.
There was even a complete rehearsal of the entire programme on the 17th
to ensure that everything went smoothly. The day lived up to its name
and proved to be fun filled for the patients, celebrities and organizers
alike. 
"CPAA's
Pune branch held an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by top artists
Buwa Shete, Milind Phadke, Dinkar Thopate, Ranjana Joshi, Vijay Dupatre
and Pandurang Tathe on the 10-12th of March at the Inn Galleria, Holiday
Inn. Ms. Dolly Rizvi, Director of the Pune Branch is seen at the exhibition
with Mr. Sanjeev Chowdhury."
Awareness
Talks: Talks are held for groups when invited. In rural areas, a doctor
explains the harmful effects of tobacco and gutka, importance of diet,
signs and symptoms of cancer and its treatment, with emphasis on early
diagnosis. Pamphlets and posters in English and Marathi are distributed.
CPAA hoardings can be seen all over Pune. Street plays are staged to raise
awareness on various cancer related issues.
Cancer
Detection Camps: In 1997, the project "Saving Women from Cancer"
was initiated. Since then, more than 4000 women from slums, villages and
various offices have been screened for cervical and breast cancer. Breast
self examination is taught at the camp. Men including police personnel,
members of the press from Maharashtra Herald and Midday, employees of
New India Assurance and Rotary Club members are also regularly screened.
A special initiative is for "World No Tobacco Day" when people
are screened for lung and oral cancers. Regular camps are held at Inlaks
and Budhrani and Krishna Hospitals, in rural areas and at the centre at
Uttam Towers. Doctors and technicians are arranged by our staff who accompany
them for the camps in CPAA vehicles. 
Playgroup
for Children with Leukemia: About 3 years ago, CPAA started a playgroup
for children undergoing treatment for leukemia at Inlaks and Budhrani
Hospital. The group meets every Saturday between 11 and 1. Activities
include playing games, painting, dancing and music programmes, regular
outings to 5-star hotels, video game parlours, picnics and factory visits.
Each child’s birthday is celebrated, and festivals like Diwali and Christmas
are observed. Recently, two children were sent with their parents for
a dream vacation at Punchgani and Mahabaleshwar. About 20 children attend
regularly. New patients join while undergoing treatment in Pune. These
children are also given woolen blankets, school bags, tiffin boxes, clothes,
school fees, etc.