Mangaluru: KMC Hospital, Attavar observed the International Childhood Cancer Day at the Sanjeevini Hall on Friday, February 14.
The programme was inaugurated by music director, singer and actor Gurukiran, by watering a plant, along with the other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering Gurukiran said, “Today is Valentine’s day and is also my mother’s birthday. Today we also observe the International Childhood Cancer Day and I am delighted to be here. Cancer is a deadly disease but if you diagnose it in time, it is curable. I know the pain a family goes through if any member suffers from cancer. Children are blessed by God and have the immunity to fight cancer. KMC is doing a wonderful job by providing quality treatment to the children who suffer from cancer. From my side, I will try to support this endeavour by organising fundraising events so that cancer patients can get quality treatment. I request every parent to support their child because their support is most important in the fight against cancer.”
Welcoming the gathering Dr Harsha Prasad, chief, Division of Child Pediatric Haematology Oncology, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, said, “Today we are observing the International Childhood Cancer Day in order to bring awareness and express our support for children who suffer from cancer and their families. Every year, nearly three lakh children are diagnosed with cancer. But childhood cancer is curable. Our aim is to raise awareness among the parents that cancer is curable. Since no treatment is free, we need to raise funds to treat the children and provide quality treatment. There should not be any compromise in the treatment. Fundraising is part of this programme. At the KMC Hospital, we have been treating all types of cancer in children for the past 20 years. In six years, we have diagnosed nearly 425 cases and 335 children have received treatment and many have been cured completely. Our main aim is to see to it that children come to the hospital happily and that it should not be a burden for them. We are expecting some NGOs to come forward to support the children. Those children who suffer from cancer cannot go to school during the treatment. They need to stay in the hospital for one to two months and hence, will lose their education. We are also thinking of giving education to children and are expecting some good-hearted people to come forward to teach them for one or two hours. We have a dedicated oncology ward for the children, dedicated nursing team, dedicated doctors, social workers, data manager, paediatric surgeon and on-site radiation oncology facility”.
Ravindra Shet and Sharath Shet from S.L. Shet Diamond House Ladyhill handed over a cheque of Rs 50,000 for the Child Cancer Fund to the KMC Hospital authorities.
Dharmith Rai from Infinity Entertainment, who co-organised the programme, Ian Lyngdoh from Happy Bar Nutrition, Dr Alfred Augustine-Additional Dean, KMC Mangaluru, HOD of Paediatrics Dr Kamalakshi Bhat, Medical Superintendent KMC Hospital Attavar – Dr John Ramapuram, KMC Hospitals Regional Chief Operating Officer – Saghir Siddiqui, Medical Superintendent and Regional Chief Clinical Services, KMC Hospital Dr Ambedkar Circle- Dr Anand Venugopal were also present.
Madhu Mylankodi compered the programme. Dr Ramitha from the Paediatrics department delivered the vote of thanks.
