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Reports
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Monthly Report, August and September 2002
Rose Day, held on September 22nd every year, is CPAA's way of showing cancer patients that we care. Here is a report on this year's activities held in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune. In 1994, CPAA initiated the annual event which would grow into a nationally observed celebration of the average citizen's willingness to share the burden of their less fortunate fellow beings The event which was called "Rose Day" was held on September 22nd which is also the birthday of Mrs. Rekha Sapru, Joint Secretary of Cancer Patients Aid Association. Every year, people express their feelings by reaching out to cancer patients in treatment centres all over the major metros with flowers, gifts and most of all, their time and affection. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh inaugurated Rose Day on 20th September at his official residence, "Varsha". 25 cancer patients had the opportunity to listen to the Chief Minister and State Home Minister, Kripashankar Sinh over a cup of tea. In the impressive audience hall, Mr. Deshmukh gave each patient a rose and gifts and found time for an individual photograph with each of them. Finally he presented them with chocolates and boxes of sweets. In turn, Ram Prasad, a 15-year-old cancer patient presented the Chief Minister with a canvas conveying his appreciation for the banning of gutkha in Maharashtra by the CM. Since this year September 22nd fell on a Sunday, when most treatment centres are closed, we decided to have a grand party at our Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre in Mahalaxmi. 500 cancer patients and their relatives joined us in a Mela, an evening of fun and games during which everyone forgot their aches and pains and sorrows. The entire centre was decorated with flowers, balloons and bunting and our guests were greeted at the grand entrance. A stage was erected at one end for the entertainment programme. A magic show and mimicry programme had the audience rolling with laughter. The children were called onstage to compete in an informal dance competition. They vied with each other in showing off fancy dance steps until they had to be coaxed off the stage. Four games stalls including hoopla and shooting range challenged patients to try their hand and win prizes. Volunteers ensured that each participant got a prize they would treasure. A toy railway provided rides for small children. Cotton candy and hot buttered popcorn was made on the spot. A bangle maker made shellac bangles in your choice of colours before your very eyes. Women and girls had mehndi applied to their palms and small children got their arms tattooed. Cartoon characters, Tellytubby and Mickey Mouse played with the children and they had a great time bouncing and jumping on the monster moonwalker. Premier film star,
Shashi Kapoor, made time to be with the patients and had his picture taken
with them. Well known singer, Abhijit regaled the audience by performing
his popular songs from movies. Patients from our Rehabilitation Centre
had prepared a touching song which brought tears to everyone's eyes. Then
Abhijit and current Miss India, Smruti, released balloons into the air
to symbolize the setting free of spirits. As the guests left after sumptuous
snacks donated by the Ambassador group, each was given gifts donated by
Marico Industries, Hindustan Lever, Ravalgaon, Colgate, Gillette, Horlicks,
HPCL, Magnasound and Phillips packed in attractive bags sponsored by Aliman
Sajadia Trust. Functions were simultaneously held in centres all over
Mumbai from 19th-22nd September. Flowers and gifts were distributed at
JJ, Harkisondas, Cama, Nair, Nanavati, Hinduja, Prince Aly Khan, KEM,
Wadia, Masina and Parsee General Hospitals. Film shows, bhajans, orchestras
and flower distribution were organised at Lady Ratan Tata Centre, Ernest
Borges Home, Mhasker Institute, Mohandayal Sanitorium, Nana Phalke Samiti,
Bharat Sevashram, Indian Cancer Society and at our own Rehabilitation
centres. Nana Patekar visited patients at Tata Memorial Hospital and our
volunteer, Sushmita Mittra organised Rabindra Sangeet at Shanti Avedana
Ashram. Our branches, too observed Rose Day with great enthusiasm. At
the Delhi branch, Director, Mrs. Kiran Hukku along with other CPAA employees
visited patients in wards in cancer hospitals. Past Miss India, Gul Panag,
Bulbul Sharma and Anita Kaul Basu joined patients in a tea party. At the
Pune branch, bedsheets were donated to the Command Hospital's Female ward.
Director, Mrs. Dolly Rizvi addressed patients at Cipla's Palliative Care
centre and a party was held at the branch office where cartoon characters
played with children. In Bangalore, too, the branch visited all the hospitals
and Karunashray, the hospice for terminally ill cancer patients. Fruits,
flowers and food packets were distributed. On 28th September, the grand
finale of Rose Day was a joy ride on board a Jet Airways flight which
took the patients over Mumbai. CPAA's Founder Chairman Y.K. Sapru and
Jet Airway's Executive Director, Saroj K. Datta took time off to ensure
that the patients had a ride they would always cherish. A lucky few children
were taken to the cockpit and, to their delight, introduced to the pilots.
Every year, CPAA's Executive Director, Alka Kapadia and a team of enthusiastic
employees go all out to ensure that cancer patients are made aware that
they are not alone in their fight against this dreaded disease. Once again,
this year, their efforts were successful as many patients went out of
their way to express their happiness. To their satisfaction, the event
which CPAA started in a small way 8 years ago has now taken the shape
of a "National Cancer Rose Day" observed all over India. Activities at Ernest Borges Home August and September is the beginning of festival time in India. At our playgroup for children held every Saturday at Ernest Borges Home, Bandra, we put in every effort to ensure that out station patients do not miss out. Rakhee was celebrated at the home in a function attended by the entire staff of CPAA. All the girls and staff members tied rakhees to the boys. Mehndi was applied for all the women and a party was arranged. For Ganesh Chaturthi, forty patients were taken to visit the three biggest Ganpati pandals in Khetwadi. The outing was organised by our volunteer Ameeshi who has been an enthusiastic participant in the weekly activities for the last year. The skits and programmes at various pandals especially entertained outstation patients for whom the celebrations are a novelty. Khazana, a festival of ghazals was held at Oberoi Towers, Mumbai on 27th and 28th July. The programme, in aid of Cancer Patients Aid Association and Parents Association Thallasemic Unit Trust was presented by Oberoi Towers; supported by State Bank of India, Britannia, Bhavna Shah, District Governor Lions District 323-A1, Prudential ICICI Mutual Funds, Gili Jewels and Stagecraft Entertainment; coordinated by Just Cause. The Associate Sponsor was The Famous Grouse. The broadcasting partner is Zee TV. An appreciative audience was delighted with the performances of their favourite singers over the course of the two days. Awareness Lectures were conducted for school children at Seva Bharati, St. Pius College, Shishu Vihar School, St. Joseph's Convent and A.K. Joshi School on the dangers of Tobacco addiction. Lectures were also held for the benefit of commercial sex workers under the aegis of Prerana and for housewives with women's organisation Urvi; for employees of Bank of India at Ganeshutsav Mandal for the general public. Alka Kapadia, Mrunal Marathe and Neeta More delivered the lectures in English, Hindi and Marathi. Prevention and Early Detection 34 camps and OPDs were held during the month of August and 41 during the month of September. Camps were held at Union Bank of India (11); Parle Tilak Vidyalay Association (8); Upendra Niwas, Malad, Lions Club, Garodia Nagar (4 each); Khar Gymkhana, Maheshwari Pragati Mandal, Unit Trust of India, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd, Rotary Club, Dombivli, Empire Machine Tools (2 each). 12 camps were held for National Federation of Insurance Field Workers of India. Senior Divisional Manager, Thankom T. Mathew wrote to put on record his appreciation for the "excellent work done by the association." He commended the commitment and dedication shown by CPAA General Manager, Diagnostics, Neeta More and her team who worked tirelessly for the full 3 days with tremendous patience, empathy and cheerfulness. In fact, due to the Mumbai Bandh unexpectedly called on Thursday, the team made adjustments and covered the backlog on Sunday.
A total of 1037 people, 551 males and 486 females were screened in the camps and clinics in August and 1488 people (808 males and 680 females) in September. 572 people were advised follow up. 12 OPDs and clinics were held during August and 10 during September. 122 males and 229 females were screened. 93 people were advised follow up. A 64 year-old lady was detected with breast cancer at our Agripada clinic. She is now undergoing treatment at Bhatia General Hospital. Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 289 persons during August and 925 persons during September. 2468 tests were performed, out of which 2168 were pathology tests. 195 sonography, 113 x-ray and 69 mammography investigations were carried out including 37 investigations done under the Well Woman Clinic sponsored by Voltas Ltd. During August, 45 people were examined, of whom 19 had come for the first check-up and 26 for renewal check up. Rs 54,808 were disbursed towards two claims settled during the month. During September 44 people were examined, out of whom 18 had come for the first check-up and 26 for renewal check-up. 3 claims were settled and an amount of Rs. 76,150 were disbursed. 126 claims have been settled to date.
At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre 714 patients and 648 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre; at Nair Hospital Radiation Centre; Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals in August and September respectively. Almost 900 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 65 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distances. 110 persons were given clothes, 50 packets of biscuits and 90 boxes of Complan, Bournvita and Feredol were distributed. 20 home and institutional visits were made. 3 of our patients expired during the two months.
At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block 249 patients and 243 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA's Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital's Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during August and September respectively. 600 packets of biscuits were distributed. 84 patients were given clothes, 16 kgs of sweets were distributed. 14 referred cases were helped. 50 ward visits and 16 home visits were made. 24 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 45 children. 331 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 874 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 822 who used the shuttle service between TMH and Dadar station. 75 umbrellas donated by State Bank of India were donated to patients during the monsoons. 20 transistor radios were distributed. Halima provided much needed assistance to Manoj Thakkar, a case of Head and Neck cancer. CPAA helped Manoj to get a kiosk after he had completed treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital four years ago. Unfortunately the disease recurred. He was quite alone and hospital authorities insist that a relative accompany each patient during preliminary tests, so Halima stood by him during this trying time. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jennifer Quadros helped 1240 patients during August and 897 patients during September, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 671 patients and their family members, helping 246 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 949 persons. 34 ward visits were made. 237 patients were counseled. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA's Mrunal Marathe counseled 14 patients, 7 males and 7 females during the month of August. There were 3 cases each of head and neck, abdomen and cervical cancer, one case each of liver and breast cancer and 3 other cases of cancer. From September a new clinic has been started under the guidance of Dr. M. Muckadam for the care and support of terminally ill cancer patients under the age of 15 and their caregivers. CPAA's Mrinal Marathe was chosen as a volunteer in the clinic. Children often know more about their condition than parents realize, but do not have the means to voice their feelings. Parents too cannot come to terms with the hard reality resulting in unresolved anger and denial. Volunteers are trained to help resolve such issues. Many techniques help children express themselves such as painting, games and role play. Counseling at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA volunteers counsel patients at Tata Memorial Hospital, covering the Radiation Departments in the Main Building and the Annexe; the Breast Cancer surgical wards and the General OPD for Chemotherapy under the guidance of Dr. Reena Nair. Gouri Salvi, Katy Shapoorji, Susmita Mitra, Indu Nair and Rati Datta attend every morning from Monday to Friday, counseling patients regarding treatment, side effects, nutrition and precautions to be taken and answering any questions the patients may ask. Patients are counseled in English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Gujarati. Cards illustrating the exercises patients should perform as well as dos and don'ts are being distributed in 4 languages. At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 17 new patients each were registered during the months of August and September. 626 patients attended follow up of whom 120 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 55 patients were counseled and given guidance and Vinaya Chacko visited 8 patients in their wards. 4 group meetings were held. 20 patients were given packets of Complan, 60 persons were given biscuits and 30 patients were given cooking oil. 50 patients were given clothes. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 45 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during August and 46 patients during September. 85 ward visits were made. 15 patients were provided guidance regarding alternative therapy. 6 patients were provided ambulance service. 3 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 14,979 was donated towards medicines and radiation costs. 20 packets of Bournvita and 46 sets of salwar kameezs were distributed among the patients. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 30 patients were counseled and given guidance at the Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during August and 65 patients during September. 54 ward visits were made. 6 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 15 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 43,592 was donated towards radiation treatment. 70 packets of biscuits and sweets, 39 packets of Bournvita and Complan and 5 bottles of chocolates were distributed. 55 patients were given clothes. After a four year long battle against cancer, Mrs. Sheila Sarin passed away in July. Since she was a Cancer Insurance Policy holder, CPAA was witness to her last days and was privileged to share them with her family. Here is an excerpt of the letter her husband wrote to her in farewell. My most loving departed wife-Sheila,
Your friends are telephoning day and night remembering your snippets-how you reveled with them, how you were the soul, most lively and universally centered. Darling they cry out without hope of anyone to play your role. You left me and our daughter carefully amongst a chosen few who looked after us and continue doing so despite their own commitments and involvement. Don't get panicky; they are not making any sacrifice. Sweetheart you told me that when void is filled with love there is no room for sacrifice. Do you know, you never hurt my male chauvinistic ego, yet managed to make me human out of a pig. You taught me patience, love, humility, peace and cheerfulness. You will be surprised when you were lying cold, we played Lara Lappa record, and my request to all was to pay such a mighty soul homage, full of happiness and peace. Two days before you departed, you called each one of us to put water in your mouth, I thought you were thirsty, no, you had a premonition. Had you ever seen a dead bearing a smile? No, but you did. You sweetheart lived a unique life. You were unique, and will remain unique in Heaven again making a cheerful niche amongst fairies. Your
husband smiling in grief, Amar Cancer
Patients Aid Association Monthly Review is compiled by Dr. Shubha Maudgal
and printed by Mr. Suresh Mishra at Saraswati Printing Press Please
write in with your comments to: Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management
Centre, Anand Niketan, King George V Memorial, |
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Last
few months when the disease had captured your body-a disease like malignancy,
the way you braved through despite your overpowering Mysthenia, Leucoderma,
BP, Diabetes, I thought you would again be a winner-and I was not wrong.
You proved to be a grand winner. You quietened the roaring cancer and
quietly slipped into the lap of the Lord. Your determination to fight
the disease, your zest for life, the feely touch and loving whispers of
the loved ones till your last breath went a long way in your making a
peaceful transition.