Monthly Report, October 2000

Diwali, 2000

Diwali, the festival of lights, the celebration of the victory of good over evil, when we invite Laxmi to enter our homes and ask her to bless us with good fortune during the New Year, means very different things to the cancer patient. Burdened with the high costs of treatment and the depression associated with battling the disease, it becomes difficult to celebrate Diwali with even a semblance of good cheer. It is at this time that The Rehabilitation Centre of Cancer Patients Aid Association steps in to make certain that our patients have the reason and the means to rejoice with their families.

The Rehabilitation Centre was started as a part of CPAA’s commitment to provide "Total Management of Cancer" for patients. Too often the costs of cancer treatment turn out to be overwhelming even for the relatively well to do. Patients from out of town run out of funds. Enforced absence while undergoing treatment or amputation of limbs sometimes results in loss of jobs. In many cases, patients have been forced to abandon treatment halfway. The Rehab Centre provides jobs for cancer patients and their family members. This helps patients to earn a living, maintain their families and bolster faltering self-respect. It also generates a feeling of brotherhood among people who are facing similar trials and tribulations.

Some products made at the Centre are terracotta diyas and statues, papier mache gift boxes and trays for distributing sweets manufactured especially with Diwali in mind. The Gift Shop of The Rehabilitation Centre has become well known over the years for these beautiful and unique items. In the run up to Diwali, CPAA participates in sales and exhibitions held at various locations in Mumbai, organises sales of its own, displays the products at shops who sell them and execute orders for diyas to companies who give them out as corporate gifts. A few days before Diwali, the Centre is busy packing sweets and chocolates for customers. In all cases, customers are pleased with the quality of the items, the attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

This year, too, The Gift Shop participated in ‘Giftex’, Nehru Centre; ‘Society’, World Trade Centre; ‘Concern India’, CCI and ‘Bhagini’, Centaur. Sales were organised for the benefit of employees of Scotia Bank, Jindal Iron and Steel, Trikaya Grey and Quantum Link Communications and an exclusive sale was held over two days at the Cricket Club of India.

Large orders for diyas were received from companies and hotels including Aristo Pharma, Lupin Laboratories, Enron Power Company, Gujarat Ambuja, Arrangements and Company, Wockhardt, Taj Hotels (Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad), The Oberoi and Regent Hotel. Shops who stocked our merchandise include Pyramid, Westside, Hallmark, Contemporary Arts and Crafts (Juhu and Napean Sea Road), Crafts and Weaves (Chennai), Cottage Industries and Tressorie. Orders for sweets packaged in papier mache trays and boxes were executed for Ms. Neeta Ambani, Neerja Birla, Juhi Chawla and Pallavi Kotak. One order of our diyas was also sent to Spain.

As a climax to the Rehab Centre’s Diwali related activities, a party was held for 200 patients and their family members at the Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre. The party started with an entertainment programme of songs, dance and a magic show. There were fun and games for all. The Chief Guest was Ms. Juhi Chawla who gave away boxes of sweets to all the delighted patients. Ms. Tina Ambani sponsored the party. CPAA is very grateful to Ms. Ambani for making the party possible.

After the hectic and productive activities of the previous months, Ms. Manju Gupta, Executive Director of the Rehab Centre, her daughter Saloni and her team consisting of Benita Quadros, Ashwini Chalke, Zulekha Sheikh, Shobha Chigmati must have had a satisfying Diwali. It was a truly creditable effort leading to record collections.

Department Reports

Cancer Awareness Programme

From the month of July, the Awareness programme has been addressing the Income Tax offices. During the month of August awareness lectures were conducted at the Charni Road and Grant Road branches, the Marine Lines office was covered in September and in October, the Bandra/Kurla branch was covered. About 3500 people were reached. In addition, a camp was held at Khadi Gramodyog, Vile Parle for 300 persons.

Prevention and Early Detection

A record number of 45 camps and OPDs were held during the month of October. Out of the 33 camps held, 8 camps were held at Khadi Gramodyog, 6 for Rotary Club (Bombay Sea Pearl), 5 for Oil and Natural Gas Commission, 4 for Groma (Vashi) and 2 each for Kerala Community (Chembur), Lions Club (Mulund), Orlem (Malad), Army (Colaba) and Jindal (Washind).

A total of 1172 people, 583 males and 589 females were screened in the camps. 429 were advised follow up.

12 OPDs including one Well Woman Clinic were held during October. 49 males and 89 females were screened. 40 people were advised follow up.

This huge number of camps and OPDs involved the screening of over 1200 people. The department has worked long hours and over the weekends to ensure that reports were sent in a timely manner and proper follow up was maintained. An added effort must be put in to ensure an almost equal number of males and females, a target that was achieved this month. The team should especially be congratulated for putting in such sterling service during a month with so many holidays. Congratulations to Ms. Neeta More and her team consisting of Ms. Minal Parab, Kirti Dustkar and Jennifer Quadros!

Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre

The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened a total of 150 patients during October. 404 tests were performed, out of which 341 were pathological tests. 3 free tests were performed. 10 sonography, 28 x-ray and 25 mammography investigations were carried out. 18 free mammographies were done during the month under the Well Woman scheme funded by KSB Pumps.

Insurance

16 new policies were registered in October, bringing the total to 6570. 71 people were examined, of whom 28 had come for the first check-up and 43 for renewal check up. Two of our policyholders were found to have cancer this month. Rs. 75,000 was disbursed towards claims made.

Patient Care

At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre

48 new patients were registered during the month of October, 23 under the Aid category, 20 under the Adoption category and 5 under the Special Adoption category. 350 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance. 105 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 18 patients who availed of the service for long distance. 50 sets of clothes, 50 packets of biscuits and 60 boxes of Complan were distributed. 8 home and institutional visits were made. Donations amounting to Rs. 22,500 were collected and Rs. 2.59 lakhs were disbursed. Five of our patients expired during the month.

At Tata Memorial Hospital

203 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA’s Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital during October. 10 ward visits were made. 400 packets of biscuits were distributed. 72 patients were given clothes. 6 kgs of sweets were distributed. 8 referred cases were helped. 15 children were given toys. 93 patients were given Complan and 15 patients were given medicines.

At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children

5 new patients were registered during the month. 713 patients attended follow up of whom 144 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 40 patients were counseled and given guidance and 30 patients were visited in their wards. 5 group meetings regarding cleanliness and diet were organised.

Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward

18 new patients were counseled out of whom 10 were registered with CPAA. 6 patients were counseled and given guidance in the OPD and ward visits. 18 patients of cervical (7), breast (2), ovarian (8) cancers and lymphoma (1) were visited in the wards. One terminally patient was referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram.

Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Centre adopted 5 new patients and relatives this month. A total of 80 patients were helped. 4 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 165 patients were given rations worth Rs. 24,888. Rs. 21,780 was spent on teachers’ salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 1,03,000 was spent on patient wages and Rs. 20,898 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements. The Rehabilitation Centre’s total income for the month, exclusive of CPAA transfer, was Rs. 7.8 lakh.

New Projects

In a chat held on Friday, September 29^th, Sunil Dutt, MP shared his feelings about his wife, Nargis’s illness and the birth of the Nargis Dutt Foundation; cancer treatment in India and his contributions to it; the rural cancer centre he is actively involved with and the mobile dispensary he has recently started. The chat was held at the Khar Gymkhana Cyber café. Among those present were well-known film producers, Mr. Subodh Mukherjee and Mr. Subhash Mukherjee, Chairman of CPAA, Mr. Y. K. Sapru, Ms. Gitanjali Chatterjee, Head of CPAA’s Patient Care Department and Dr. Shubha Maudgal, Director, New Projects. A transcript of the chat is reproduced below.

CPAA: All of us at Cancer Patients Aid Association are very grateful to Mr. Sunil Dutt for making the time to host this celebrity chat show on our website www.cpaaindia.org. This programme is part of our regular chats, three of which are hosted every day from 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 by doctors, cancer survivors, counselors and CPAA representatives. Mr. Dutt’s contribution to the improvement of cancer treatment in India is well-known. He has financed the first fully air-conditioned ICU at Tata Memorial Hospital, the "Nargis Dutt Intensive Care Unit" and has recently started a Rural Cancer Centre at Barshi in Sholapur district. I now invite you to ask Mr. Dutt your questions.

Cherry: Dear Mr. Dutt, please tell us about what you feel regarding treatment facilities available in Bombay, since you were closely in touch with them. Are they good? Or is there requirement to go abroad for treatment?

Sunil Dutt: We have the best surgeons, doctors and oncologists but we must improve our ICUs and postoperative care. Secondly, there should be tremendous awareness programmes about cancer. Thirdly, our women above the age of 30 must have half yearly or at least yearly check ups. Lastly, with our country's population reaching a billion, our hospitals are overloaded therefore you cannot blame them. In the years to come two deadly diseases will be left, cancer and heart disease. Municipal hospitals must start treatment for these. Lastly I would like to add that all the hospitals in our country must feel that more than 80% of our population cannot afford expensive medication and special care. Attention must be given to that side and how best all the hospitals can help the common man in our country. The only alternative is to be on the alert. Unfortunately we only go to hospitals when it is too late. People are uneducated. Health care must be taught from school days.

I really appreciate some of the social organisations in our country especially Cancer Patients Aid Association started by Sapru Sahab and Rekhaji. They are doing a great service to the sick people who suffer from cancer.

Anu: Please tell us about your rural cancer project, and in what way can we support you?

Sunil Dutt: Dr. Nene and Mr. Chauhan started a rural centre at Barshi near Sholapur. They contacted me regarding the project. At that time I was working for the ICU at Tata Memorial Hospital. Tata and I helped them to set up the centre. Today there is a full fledged hospital and diagnostic centre. Tata has given them a bus with medical equipment. They cover the rural area around Barshi. Recently, the World Health Organisation in their assessment declared the Barshi centre the best of its kind in a rural area. The Bill Gates Foundation has given 5 million dollars to the centre for check up of women in the age group of 28 years and up for uterus and breast cancer.

If you should wish to volunteer, please write to Dr. Nene, Nargis Dutt Cancer Hospital, Barshi, Distt Sholapur.

Anu: Have u detected early cancer cases in Barshi with this set up?

Sunil Dutt: Yes, many cases. Because of the large number of detections made, the WHO has given the superior rating I had mentioned.

Shubha: Why did you decide to open a centre at Sholapur?

Sunil Dutt: Dr. Nene studied in London. When he came back to India, he could have set up his practice in Mumbai, but he preferred to go back to his native town. He started arranging medical camps in two rooms at his father's farmhouse. He invited doctors from Tata. His involvement and dedication is what rural India needs and this inspired all of us to help him.

Cherry: One last question sir. You have been through hard times with respect to cancer and various other issues. What motivated u to go on and not give up? Did u not lose hope, faith?

Sunil Dutt: Whatever calamities happened in my family, I started to look beyond my immediate family. There is a great amount of pain, facilities are not available, financial arrangements are difficult. Through our own pain, we decided to share with other people. I am happy that there are so many social organisations coming forward now. It is a good feeling that there are people in our country who want to share the pain of others and do for others whatever they can.

My wife was undergoing treatment in the US. She had 5 operations and had spent months in the Intensive Care Unit. At that time, when she was suffering so much pain, she told me I had done wrong in taking her to the US. She said she had become what she was, a successful star, because of the Indian public and yet they did not have the facilities she had been given when they were suffering. At that time I decided to do something for the cause of cancer treatment in India.

Actually after the death of my wife, I made a film, "Dard Ka Rishta". Most films portraying cancer show the end as being death, but I wanted to show that by early detection we can save the person.

Mrunal: Nowadays many well-known personalities are advertising tobacco products. What is your opinion on this?

Sunil Dutt: You are the fans of the stars and you should force them to change. But I have never posed for cigarettes or liquor. I started my career with an ad agency. When I became a star, people from the agencies asked me to pose with a cigarette but I never did. This way of earning money never attracted me.

Alka: How do u manage to collect funds on a regular basis for yr centers to keep functioning? Is there a regular grant? or corpus?

Sunil Dutt: The non-resident Indians in America contacted me some time ago. They wanted to do something for cancer patients in India but were not convinced about how the funds would be used. They started a charitable organisation in US and started raising funds. I told them to send medical equipment, which is not available in India. I must say that the non-resident Indian has a great feeling for India. The foundation started in New York and spread all over- to Canada and Germany. They have sent equipment to different charitable cancer related hospitals, worth 3 million dollars so far. They named the foundation after my wife because they felt she suffered a lot there during her treatment for cancer. It is called the Nargis Dutt Foundation.

Anu: What is your message for today’s youngsters?

Sunil Dutt: I have great hope from the new generation as our elders had of us. We have set some examples to give inspiration to the younger generation. The best advice is to be a good human being. Love every religion and every caste so that there is less violence in the country.

SUN: Do you believe in miracles? Many cancer patients claim to have been cured by some mysterious touch.

Sunil Dutt: India is full of miracles. I believe in the theory of miracles. But I must say, do not wait for miracles.

Minu: Where can we avail the facility of your mobile hospital?

Sunil Dutt: The mobile hospital is available on telephone 6004583 and 6044414. You can ask for Arjun or Mr. Joshi. We will then inform you about the whereabouts. We were waiting for the end of the rains

Minu: What types of facilities are available in your mobile hospital?

Sunil Dutt: It has a mini operation theatre, facilities for child delivery, X-ray machines, blood testing, HIV virus testing, Cardiac testing and eye testing. Dental check up is also available and there is a lab for developing X rays. It is totally air-conditioned. We also have a TV on which we can show films on health care. Rates for all these tests and check ups are low as we charge for just the raw materials actually used. The running of the hospitals is costing us about a lakh of rupees and BSES has come forward to sponsor the facility.

Cherry: Sir we know that you have been a motivating force for all of us to see you battling over and over in life and coping. We all salute you for that.

Sunil Dutt: Through this chat line, I wish to thank everybody. It is you who inspire me to do what I do.

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