Cancer Awareness, Detection and Cure campaign
The Organization for the Development of People (ODP), supported by Caritas India, St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Philomena’s College (Autonomous) will jointly organize Cancer Awareness, Detection and Cure campaign on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
February 4 is observed as World Cancer Day every year throughout the world since 2000. It is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the date was fixed at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium, which was held in Paris.
Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century. It is the second leading cause of death globally, causing about 1 in 6 deaths. But the good news is that cancer is curable if detected in early stages. Biologically, cancer involves abnormal growth of cells because of uncontrolled multiplication of cells when the body’s normal control mechanism stops working.
The Diocese of Mysore under the leadership of Most Rev. Dr. K. A. William, the Bishop of Mysore has initiated a massive cancer eradication campaign. On the occasion of World Cancer Day, ODP, Caritas India St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Philomena’s College (Autonomous), Mysore have organized cancer awareness walkathon titled ‘SPARSHA –Instilling Hope’ to create awareness among the general public about cancer and its prevention. Dr. Amarnath –DHO will flag off the walkathon from Anjaneya Temple, Mysore Palace at 10 a.m. The walkers will go up to St. Josephs Cathedral where Dr. Anil Thomas, a leading Oncologist will address the gathering. The programme will conclude with a FLASH MOB on ‘Cancer Awareness and Cure’ on the lush green lawns of St. Philomena’s College, Bannimantap at 12.30 p.m.
The chief dignitaries in the program will be Rev. Msgr. C. Rayappa, Rev. Msgr. Leslie Moras, Dr. Amarnath – DHO, Rev. Dr. Bernard Prakash Barnis, Dr. Ravi, Rev. Fr. Alex Prashanth Sequeira, Rev. Fr. Manuel D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Sanjay Kumar.
The main goal of this programme is to educate the community on the basics of cancer and its treatment and thus promote a cancer aware society. Possessing this knowledge people will have a better understanding of cancer and how to make informed choices about cancer care options.
To have a larger reach out to the members of the public there will be a live webinar with a panel discussion with expert Oncologists like Dr. Vishweshwar, Bharath Cancer Hospital, Dr. Shyamsundar, J.S.S. Medical College, Dr. Chaitra, ClearMedi Radiant Hospital live streamed from the Audio-Video studio of St. Philomena’s College between 2.30 p.m and 3.30 p.m. on the same day. This panel discussion can be accessed on the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/BJmrJRtuXMM
