Cancer is becoming an ever-increasing menace in Goa. Every day approximately eight people are detected with this life-threatening disease. According to the Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department of Health and Family Welfare study indicates that in the last 26 years the incidence of Cancer has increased by almost 45 persons per one lakh population in Goa.

To combat this alarming situation, Caritas Goa along with Caritas India launched ‘CanSurvive’, a campaign against cancer on June 30, 2019, at the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre in Old Goa.

Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa shared, “It is the Goa’s biggest and first-of-its-kind cancer support network under the aegis of Caritas Goa, which will focus largely on prevention and support mechanisms.”

“It is our common experience that somebody somewhere in our family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have suffered from cancer. This disease puts an immense financial and emotional burden on the person and the entire family,” said Archbishop Ferrão.

“It was due to this widespread suffering not only to patients but to their families, that under the guidance of Caritas India and drawing inspiration from a similar campaign in Kerala, the Church in Goa has envisioned this campaign under the aegis of Caritas Goa to offer help in the prevention and treatment of cancer,” the Archbishop said.

‘CanSurvive’ campaign has taken its inspiration from the ‘Ashakiranam’ Cancer Care Campaign in Kerala. Caritas India has sphere headed the Ashakiranam campaign in Kerala with a strong focus on prevention and promoting a healthy lifestyle through producing, conserving and consuming good food. The campaign has established cancer care services in the form of palliative care, short stay facilities, ambulance services, counseling services, occupational therapeutic services, rehabilitation strategies, financial support systems, and related services.

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head”, shared Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India. He stressed that “It’s the human beings who go through the insecurities of life. Insecurities in various forms like social, economic and spiritual. Cancer is one of the cause leading or rather contributing to the insecurity of life both social and economic that adds on to the burden of life for both infected person and affected families. Inspired by the faith response, every human being has the responsibility to address the issue being on the side of the affected person.”

Informing the gathering Fr. Paul shared that ‘CanSurvive’ Campaign is Goa jointly launched by Caritas India and Caritas Goa is a faith response of the Goan community to address the issue in solidarity with the affected community and also preparing a social platform to prevent this menace and ensure security for the generations.

Sharing the aims, objectives and mission goals of the ‘CanSurvive’, Caritas Goa director Fr Maverick Fernandes stated that the campaign has two dimensions that one can survive from getting cancer and also can survive after getting it, Fr Fernandes said the campaign wishes to build a strong network with oncologists, surgeons, NGOs, and civil society groups to provide information and support.

Highlighting some of the key goals of the campaign, Fr Fernandes said ‘CanSurvive’ will include awareness campaigns in schools on cancer prevention lifestyle, cancer management assistance through local communities, information on leading a healthy lifestyle, providing counseling and support, palliative care information and resource mobilisation for needy cancer patients.

Present during the launch, oncologist Dr Ian Pinto shared about different types of cancers and the various factors contributing to cancer. He also emphasised the importance of a healthy lifestyle, regular screening to detect early stages of cancers, the need to avoid smoking and tobacco and to maintain a healthy diet and exercise.

Lilly Gomes, a 10-year-old cancer survivor, delivered a testimony about her battle with cancer ever since she was a toddler.

To mark the launch, Archbishop Ferrão released the CanSurvive anthem and jingle, the ‘CanSurvive’ helpline (8182830405) and the website (www.cansurvive.live). Others who spoke on the occasion included Fr Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India and Council for Social Justice and Peace Executive Secretary Fr Savio Fernandes.