8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which, 4 million people die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years). India alone attends to about 1. 8 Million cancer patients in a year.

In a state wide campaign, Caritas India is observing month long Cancer awareness drive focusing on prevention, awareness creation, building interagency relations with the involvement of new stakeholders.

Spectrum of activities were lined up under ‘Ashakiranam – Cancer Care Campaign’ including awareness camp, seminars, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, hair donation and volunteer meet in different part of Kerala.

‘Say YES to life, NO to Cancer’ the Lenten Campaign 2017 theme of Caritas India putting impetus on the fight against Cancer burden and advocate for protecting and nurturing life.

General Hospital, Ernakulam joined the drive along with six nursing schools to sensitize the masses by spreading the awareness through poster competition.

Similarly, 666 individuals came forward to donate their hair for the cancer surviors who lost their hair during the treatment. The hair donation camps were organized in 6 clusters namely Ernakulam, Kottayam, Trivandrum, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Malabar.

Volunteers of Ashakiranam are the backbone of this campaign and 9 such volunteer meet were organized in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Trivandrum and Pathanamthitta clusters. During the meet, IEC materials were distributed and a short documentary was screened on the hazardous effects of alcohol, drugs and use of pesticides. In Ernakulam, financial support was given to the Cancer patients to bear the economic burden.

Ashakiranam campaign is planning to run the awareness drive for this complete one month to sensitise the masses about the ill effect of Cancer.