Children from fifteen schools in the Capital participated in the Taklu Takli March Past on the 6th International Childhood Cancer Day. The unusual name has been given to de-stigmatise hair loss.
The march past—which was lead by a team of children suffering with cancer, was cheered by those sitting in the stands. A cycle rally followed the march past.
‘Through My Eyes’— a series of photographs clicked by children with cancer —was also put on display at the venue.
Poonam Bagai, president of Cankids, which organised the event, said, “The event has been organised to create awareness that childhood cancer is curable provided it is detected at an early stage and followed by proper medication. We salute the courage these kids display in fighting the disease.”
Cankids is an offshoot of the Indian Cancer Society formed to take care of children affected with cancer. Its motto is to take care of medication and education of children generally coming from economically weak backgrounds.
It also counsels the victim’s family on the emotional and psychological front. Sonal Sharma, director of a parent support group, said, “We realise the stress a family goes through in such a situation because almost all of us have gone through similar situations in our lives. So, we want to tell all the other such families that there is life after cancer. It’s not the end as it can be cured.”
Rattan Watal, Director General, Sports Authority of India, was the chief guest of the event.