Roses for cancer survivors on Rose Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 22 2011: The State today joined the rest of the country in observing National Rose Day, 2011 along with presentation of Survivors Awards to cancer patients and giving a clarion call to the people, more particularly, the youngsters to stay away from undesirable lifestyle since Cancer is closed related with lifestyle.

Organised under the aegis of Manipur Cancer Society, the National Rose Day observance was held in the mini auditorium of RIMS with Governor Gurbachan Jagat as chief guest and Health & Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar as functional president.

At the occasion, the Governor presented roses and Survivors awards to Cancer patients.

He also released a souvenir to mark the event.

This year's recipients of Survivors awards are former Principal of DM College of Arts and Commerce S Sanahanbi Devi; Associate Professor of Gynaecology, RIMS Dr A Randhoni Devi and master Th Sanathoi of Thoubal.

In his address, Governor Gurbachan Jagat pointed out that Cancer is one of the diseases which can strike any one, irrespective of age, sex, profession or economic status.

At any given time, there are as many as 40 lakh Cancer patients in India and annually 10 lakh new cases are added to this existing data.

At some stage of treatment or the other, about 80 percent of Cancer patients find themselves struggling to cope with financial requirements for treatment.

Hence, the management of finances is a vital issue which needs to be tackled like the treatment of the disease.

Master Th Sanathoi with the Rose he was gifted by Governor

It is pleasing to note that the Manipur State Illness Assistance Funds has been set up this year to provide financial assistance to poor Cancer patients who are living under poverty line for treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal and Regional Institute of Medical Sciences.

The financial assistance to such patients would be released in the form of a 'one-time grant' through the Medical Superintendents of the concerned hospitals where the treatment is being given, he explained.

Appreciating the efforts of Manipur Cancer Society and its 'Face to Face' programmes wherein patients get an opportunity to meet the survivors and exchange experiences and feelings during the most difficult part of their struggle for survival, the Governor noted that these programmes have been a great source of encouragement and reassurance for the Cancer patients.

''I am confident that the contribution of the Manipur Cancer Society will certainly help in checking and treating Cancer in Manipur for which they should continue their endeavours for fulfilment of what they have targeted'', the Governor said, and appeal to the general people, particularly the youngsters to stay away from undesirable lifestyle since Cancer is closely connected with lifestyle.

Earlier, delivering the key note address, secretary of Manipur Cancer Society Birendra Kangjam informed that around 30 new cases of Cancer are detected every year in Manipur.

National Rose Fay is being observed under the aegis of the Society since 2006 with the main objective of creating awareness among the people about the fact that Cancer patients can survive and the diagnosis of the dreadful disease does not necessarily mean death, he explained.

Speaking as one of the guests of honour of the function, Director of RIMS Dr S Sekharjit Singh observed that RIMS has been making every possible efforts towards providing comprehensive treatment of cancer.

Retired Medical Superintendent of RIMS and Principal Investigator of Population Based Cancer Registry Dr Y Mohen Singh, who was the other guest of honour of the function, pointed out that among with observance of National Rose Day, mass awareness programmes on Cancer should be organised.

Head of Department of Radiotherapy, RIMS Dr L Tomcha Singh; Paediatric Oncologist Dr N Kameshshore; Head and Neck Oncologist Dr Nicola C Lyndoh; Gynae Oncologist Dr Ch Pritam and Surgical Oncologist Dr RK Somorjit Singh were also among the resource persons who spoke at the function marked by presentation of group song, group dance, skit and martial art show.

On the other hand, as a tradition on the occasion of National Cancer Rose Day observance today, the Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion (Blood Bank) of Regioonal Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) provided 27 units of blood free of cost to 16 Cancer patients of RIMS hospital who need blood transfusion.

The donated blood units included 22 packed RBC and 5 platelet concentrate units.

Last year, 19 blood units were supplied free of costs to cancer patients on the occasion of National Cancer Rose Day.