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Monthly Report, September 2001 Zaheer
Khan Visits CPAA
Rose Day 2001 Every year, on September 22nd, we at Cancer Patients Aid Association take time out from our regular activities to show cancer patients everywhere that we are there for them. In view of the unbelievable violence in other parts of the world, Rose Day this year had an especially poignant touch. Given below is a report of our Rose Day activities in different centres.
Preparations start months ahead of time to get necessary permissions, decide on appropriate entertainment programmes and assess the numbers of patients at each centre. The organizers toil until late the night before and again in the early morning, packing gifts, roses and flowers arrangements. These arrangements are delivered to various hospitals around the city to provide a cheerful atmosphere for patients when they come for treatment in the morning. Rose coupons are sold at various outlets, leaflets are sent along with bills and credit card holders donate through direct deductions to their credit cards. The response is always overwhelming with contributions continuing to pour in even months later. This year Rose Day books were distributed at all the branches of Union Bank where employees and patrons donated with open hearts. Rose Day 2001 was kicked off on 21st September with a helicopter ride for children and an extra special meeting with Abhishek Bachchan. Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited treated 20 ecstatic children to a joy ride they will always remember. Abhishek was on hand to make the occasion even more memorable. He spent time having his photograph taken with each child, gifting games and a souvenir mug embossed with his picture, arranged by CPAA as a memento. Each child was also given a T-shirt with his picture on it. This year, Rose Day fell on a Saturday when most OPDs are closed. We therefore decided to mark the occasion with a gala fete at our Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre at Mahalaxmi. 21st night saw hectic activities at the centre. There had been unseasonable rains every evening for a few days before and there were fears that the Mela would become a soggy affair, but fortunately the 22nd dawned bright and clear. A huge pandal was put up with stalls for games, slides and moonwalker were erected, and mehndi, tattoo and shellac bangles were made on the spot. A stage was created and various performers-a magician, a mimic, a comic-delighted the patients and their caregivers with their performances. Celebrities, Pankaj Udhas, Raza Murad, Akhlaaq Khan, Sanjana Kapoor took time off to be with the patients and express their empathy with them. Rajeshwari Sachdev sang her hit song, Hulle Hullare. She got everyone dancing, swaying and tapping their feet and joining her in the song. A fullfledged buffet was organised by Mars Restaurant Private Limited, there were ice creams, drinks, gifts and mementoes. Functions were organised at Tata Memorial Hospital by Mr. S.H. Jafri, Mr. Patil and Mr. Deshmukh and their team. Patients performed songs and dance items and for a while forgot their fears and worries. In the evening, Javed Jaffry visited the wards at Tata Memorial hospital along with CPAA volunteers. Zainab Allana and her group, Jyotsna, Laxmikant and Ruhi, accompanied by Mr. Hemant Chachad and Mr. Dalvi of Western railways visited three dharamshalas, Ahuja, Nana Palker and Mhasker Dharamshalas. They distributed steel tiffin boxes, rice and dal, bedsheets and of-course the roses that say so much. They visited Garib Nawaz and Noori Bagh Darga on the 24th along with Halima Aurangabadkar and distributed tiffin boxes and rice. The group is now trying to arrange for meals for the inmates on a regular basis. Gifts and toys were distributed in hospitals all over Mumbai. The entire function would not have been possible without generous donation from a number of corporate houses and individual donors from all over Mumbai. Hindustan Lever donated Sunsilk shampoo bottles and Lux soap, which was distributed to all the patients along with bags for the adults and toys for the children. Hindustan Lever also sponsored the Rose Day t-shirts. Biscuits were donated by Britannia, Shangri-la and Windsor; chocolates by Cadburys; soaps by Godrej; GluconC packets by Heinz and Horlicks packs by Glaxo Smith Kline. CPAA would like to thank Dr. C. J. Joshi and the Rotary Club of Queen’s Necklace who also participated in the Mela. Students from Sophia College donated rations of rice and dal for the patients. Traditionally the day ends with programmes at Shanti Avedana Ashram, hospice for terminally ill cancer patients and at the Ernest Borges Home, a hostel attached to Tata Memorial Hospital, in Bandra. This year too, this provided a fitting grand finale to the events of the day. Each of CPAA’s branches at Bangalore, Delhi and Pune also put together spectacular events, highly appreciated by patients and relatives alike. Our Bangalore branch also arranged for a number of events as part of Rose Day. Patients were taken for a "morning of fun" at the bowling alley in Mega Bowl on the 21st. Hospitals and oncology facilities were visited on the 22nd and fruits, biscuits and roses were distributed. Volunteers visited Bangalore Institute of Oncology; Marie Curie Centre of Oncology; Manipal, St. John’s, Mallya, Command, Ramaiah, Bangalore Baptist and Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospitals. Delhi branch’s Rose Day went on for three days, starting on the 21st with a function at Pizza Hut. Shovana Narain, Gul Panag, Amita Kaul Basu and Siddharth Basu and Bulbul Sharma were present to help cheer the patients. Pizza Hut’s mascot, "Pooch" played with the children. On the 22nd, school children from Modern, Tagore International and Dr. Radhakrishnan International Schools put up a variety programme of dance and drama for the patients. The programme was sponsored by and held at Essex Farms. Kiran Bedi, Sushma Seth, Malvika Tiwari and Manpreet Brar took time off to be there. Many thanks to workers of GE who undertook volunteer duty for the day, Unistyle Images for T-shirts and gifts, Tops who provided juices and Crax who donated snacks and corn puffs. On the 23rd, the branch visited Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan and Safdarjung Hopsitals and All India Institute of Medical Sciences and distributed flowers, fruits and gifts. The Pune branch was busy starting on the 20th with a programme at Holiday Inn. Ronald McDonald was on hand to perform magic tricks and the children of Mahima Foundation staged a delightful entertainment programme. Harshwardan Nawate, Deven Verma and Brijesh spent time with the patients. On the 21st and 22nd, the branch visited Ruby, Sassoon, Inlacs, Sanjivan and Command Hospitals and the Cipla Palliative Care Centre. Over 400 patients were given roses, fruits, biscuits, Complan and milk powder. Patients in the Command Hospital women’s ward were given bedsheets and magazines. The programme and its successful implementation involves individual contributions by each and every CPAA employee, quite often outside the line of actual duty. CPAA’s Executive Director, Alka Kapadia, manages to move heaven and earth to provide a new and exciting event year after year. Under her leadership, all employees try to go that extra mile to ensure that patients have a great time. At the end of the day, everyone agreed that the smiles they were able to put on so many faces made all their trials and late nights worthwhile. Zaheer Khan, who was recently made part of the Indian cricket team, took time off to visit cancer patients at the Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre. Children and parents alike were thrilled to meet this unassuming young man and discuss strategy for the Indian teams series in South Africa. Zaheer autographed souvenir cricket bats and sportingly bowled a few balls for those present. Cancer Patients Aid Association has always recognised the importance of delivering Cancer Awareness talks that are aimed at spreading awareness about cancer, it’s causes and prevention, dispelling the fear associated with the disease by projecting a realistic and scientific picture and propogating the importance of early detection. Lectures have been delivered at factories, mills, offices, schools and colleges. Under this programme, during September, lectures were held at SNDT and Walia Colleges, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bank of America, Ghia Hall for Rotary Club. A special initiative was made to reach street children who tend to abuse smokeless tobacco, especially gutkha, which kills appetite and hence reduces the need to eat meals, which they cannot afford. Street children at various centres around Mumbai, at Mahalaxmi, Elphinstone Road, Bombay Central, Parel, Prabhadevi, Nagpada and at the Dongri Remand Home were addressed and counseled on the dangers of their addiction. Efforts were also made to give tips to the children on how they could quit the habit. Prevention and Early Detection 28 camps and OPDs were held during the month of September. Out of the 16 camps held, 4 were organised for the Western Railway Employees Union and 2 each for Inner Wheel Clubs of New Bombay and Andheri East; Saurabh Group Chinchani, Boisar; Indian Red Cross Society, Silvasa; The Anjuman-e-Null Bazar and Municipal Industrial Estate, Worli. A total of 824 people, 243 males and 581 females were screened in the camps and clinics. 239 people were advised follow up. 12 OPDs and clinics were held during the month. 66 males and 149 females were screened. 56 people were advised follow up. A 40-year-old man, who was detected with colon cancer during an OPD at Agripada, is now undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital.
Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 309 persons during September. 632 tests were performed, out of which 455 were pathology tests. 78 sonography, 42 x-ray and 57 mammography investigations were carried out.
34 new policies were registered in September, bringing the total to 6972. 89 people were examined, of whom 25 had come for the first check-up and 64 for renewal check up. 4 of our policyholders were found to have cancer during the month. 3 cases of breast cancer and one case of tongue cancer were detected. The policyholders, who hail from Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Mumbai, are now undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital (tongue cancer), Prince Ali Khan and Breach Candy Hospitals. The patients are getting full support from CPAA and their claims are being met in a timely manner.
At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre A total of 615 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre, at Nair Radiation Centre, Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals and the Palliative Care Unit at TMH. 214 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 9 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distance. 100 persons were given clothes, 70 packets of biscuits and 50 boxes of Complan were distributed. 9 home and institutional visits were made. 3 of our patients expired during September. Donations amounting to Rs. 44,300 were collected. Rs. 2,95,447 was disbursed. At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block 218 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA’s Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during September. 300 packets of biscuits were distributed. 31 patients were given clothes, 6 kgs of sweets were distributed. 12 referred cases were helped. 17 ward visits and 3 home visits were made. 7 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 78 children. 126 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 129 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 21 for long distance travel. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jennifer Quadros helped 623 patients during September, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 177 patients and their family members, helping 127 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 225. 13 ward visits were made. Jennie had occasion to meet Babul Chandra Das, a 61-year-old patient of cancer of the larynx, who has come from Assam. His daughter who teaches in a school had sold all the jewellery she had collected for her marriage to provide necessary funds for her father’s treatment. Through Jennie, the family met Dr. Sultan Pradhan who operated on Mr. Das. He is now undergoing radiation treatment.
At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children Vinaya Chacko registered 10 new patients during the month of September. 342 patients attended follow up of whom 121 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 40 patients were counseled and given guidance and 5 patients were visited in their wards. 3 group meetings regarding cleanliness and diet were organised and 40 children were given sweets, toys, biscuits and Complan. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital 29 patients, 15 males and 14 females were counseled during the month of September. There were 7 cases of Head and Neck cancers, 6 cases of cancer of the abdomen, 8 cases of cervical cancer, 4 cases of bone cancer and 4 other cases of cancer. Mrinal Marathe counseled a 27-year-old woman, mother of a 4-year-old girl, who was expecting a second child when she was told that she was terminally ill. The doctors advised her to go through an abortion since she would have to take treatment for the pain she was suffering, but she decided not to. At this stage, her husband left her to face her troubles alone. Fortunately her parents came forward to help her out. While they were enraged at their son-in-law’s inhuman behaviour, this brave woman would always try to speak up for her husband. As luck would have it, she delivered a healthy boy and her husband came back to her. Her parents, understandably, refused to allow her to see her husband at home and the couple started meeting at the Palliative Care Unit where it was obvious that the husband now wanted to make amends. Seeing her happiness at his return, Mrinal, too encouraged them to take one step at a time. He is now willing to face up to his responsibilities and share her remaining days. Too often when faced with a diagnosis of cancer, family members panic and are unable to support the patient when they most need help, sometimes out of a fear that they may contract the disease, too. In this case, however, the repentant husband made up for his earlier actions and has slowly earned his place in his family. Counseling at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Radiation Treatment Centre Shubha Maudgal and Smita Khante counseled 200 patients regarding diet restrictions, care and cleanliness of the radiated part and boosting nutrition during radiation therapy. Breast cancer patients were told about the importance of care of the affected arm, including exercise. Patients are told not lift heavy weights and not to take injections or intravenous fluids on that arm to avoid development of lymphedema. The importance of drinking adequate amounts of water is emphasized. Patients are also given advice on accommodation and two were provided ambulance facilities to facilitate treatment. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 21 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during September. Among these are 7 new patients. 6 patients were registered with CPAA. 19 ward visits were made. 2 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 7475 were provided towards medicines. 15 patients were given diet supplements. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 25 patients were counseled and given guidance at CPAA’s Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during September out of which 9 were new patients. 4 ward visits were made. 3 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 20 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 26,073 was donated towards radiation treatment. 50 packets of biscuits, 17 boxes of Complan and 1kg of sweets were distributed. 40 sets of clothes were given. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted three new patients during September. A total of 77 patients were helped. 12 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 211 patients were given rations worth Rs. 24,000. Rs. 18,710 was spent on teachers’ salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 1.10 lakhs were spent on patients’ wages and Rs.32,046 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements. The Rehabilitation Centre is now working in top gear preparing for the festive season. One consignment of diyas worth Rs. 8 lakhs has already been dispatched.
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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Rose
Day, held on September 22nd every year, is our way of showing
cancer patients that they are not alone. Rose Day was first observed in
1994, to mark the 25th anniversary of CPAA. Today it is a nation wide
movement in the form of National Cancer Rose Day and has become an occasion
for the general public to get involved in our cause of raising cancer
awareness. Patients in every hospital, clinic, hospice and treatment centre
are greeted with a rose to convey a message of love and empathy. From
cine celebrities to mill workers to school students, people from all walks
of life visit patients to show they care.