Cancer survivors meet, spread message of hope

It is curable

In the run-up-to World Cancer Day on February 4, a reunion of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) patients was organised in the Capital at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCI).

In a first-of-its-kind exercise, around 40 patients who successfully underwent bone marrow transplant at the hospital in 2011 assembled with their families to spread the
message -- 'Blood cancer is curable'.

The event was organised in collaboration with Cancer Sahyog, the support group of Indian Cancer Society.

“The post-operative period is as critical as the bone marrow transplant itself. After a bone marrow transplant, it may take a year or more for the immune system to recover. A weakened immune system increases the risk of infection that can be serious or even life threatening,” said Dr Dinesh Bhurani, Sr Consultant, Bone Marrow Transplant at RGCI.

The meet aimed at equipping the patients and their families with proper information, so they can face this challenging phase in their lives, he added.

Patients from countries like Kenya, Afghanistan, Nepal, Iran and United Arab Emirates who participated in the event, along with patients from different states of India.