World Cancer Day, February 4th, raises consciousness about taking action against cancer, in all its many horrible forms and guises. It encourages people to choose new ways of living by gaining deeper knowledge about cancer, which the world looks at with fear.

This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap,” celebrates the progress in its many forms that enables more people to seek and receive the care they need and deserve. It helps us build stronger alliances and innovative new collaborations with our friends, coworkers, and communities to fight cancer. The cancer care programmes play an important role in the health-related activities of Caritas India across the nation.

In Kerala, the Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign of Caritas India is the multi-dimensional cancer prevention approach for building cancer-resilient villages. The new initiative of Caritas India envisages focusing on building awareness towards preparedness for cancer prevention, helping the poorest of the poor with early detection and treatment, promoting safe-to-eat food through an integrated family farming approach, and taking up cancer research initiatives with the support of leading hospitals in Kerala.

The first nine years of its journey witnessed a lot of positive changes everywhere in Kerala as people united under one voice to face and defeat cancer and build cancer-resilient villages. The programmes were primarily divided into four categories: cancer prevention, resource development, volunteerism promotion, and patient care and support programs. A total of 181 programmes were organised on the day with the support of 32 DSSS partners in Kerala and reached around 28,136 people. The programmes cover cancer awareness sessions by cancer oncologists/experts, community volunteers, cancer early detection camps, initiating cancer surveys, organic farming promotion programmes like distributing vegetable saplings, seeds, manures, etc., cancer patient support programmes in terms of food/nutrition kit distribution, hygiene and medical kit distribution, income generation programme support, tele-counselling and house visits by volunteers, hair, wig, and blood donation events, cancer survivors gatherings, caregivers/palliative volunteer training, resource mobilisation events, and volunteer registration and promotion programmes.

Cancer Day activities were inaugurated in various ways in each diocese. The bishops in the dioceses have extended their wholehearted support to the diocesan social service societies for the Cancer Day observation activities. The Cancer Day programmes of KSSS, Kothamangalam, were conducted at Bishop’s House, Kothamangalam. His Excellency Bishop George Madathikandathil inaugurated the programme. “The Ashakiranam Campaign of Caritas India is very exemplary, which inspires many to help and be with cancer patients in this situation where cancer patients are increasing in our society.” We are all aware that cancer patients experience significant pain and mental distress.”We should not be reluctant to take care of cancer patients and not keep them away, rather, it is our duty to comfort them,” said Bishop George.

The key is to take preventive measures by imparting knowledge about the disease. On Cancer Day, about 127 cancer awareness programmes were conducted all over Kerala with the support of 32 DSSS partners. “Cancer is not a disease to be feared as it used to be. Attitudes and lifestyles need to be changed. We have to make a firm decision to prevent the entry of the killing disease into my house. “We should be able to confirm this decision with the good knowledge we get through the Ashakiranam campaign,” said Dr. Shibini, Department of Oncology, Pushpagiri Medical College, Thiruvalla, in her talk to people in the awareness programme organised by Bodhana, Thiruvalla.

Around 2,173 cancer patients received financial aid of Rs. 19,56,000 for their treatment, and 3,527 cancer patients received support like food, medical care, and nutrition kits on cancer day. Hundreds of volunteers joined the training programme and gained energy and inspiration for their journeys in cancer care ahead. Mr. Ajitha Palliative Volunteer Lead, QSSS, Quilon, expressed that “On Cancer Day, it was possible to understand very clearly how to take good care of cancer patients and what mental attitudes and interests should be developed.”

In Tamil Nadu, World Cancer Day is observed by the Diocesan Social Service Society partners by inviting doctors and experts on cancer and delivering input and awareness sessions on cancer. The day’s importance and the need for making changes in our lifestyles, food habits, etc. were emphasized. Thrust was given to organic farming and eco-living.

Altogether, 243 events were carried out, covering a population of 27, 383 through rallies, awareness campaigns, signature campaigns, school programmes, competitions, food distribution, screening tests, traditional food mela and volunteer orientations.

Cancer screening camps and medical camps had been organised with expert doctors from various cancer centres and hospitals in the districts, and the doctors rendered the needed diagnosis, care, and referrals to the patients who had been diagnosed.

Awareness rallies were organised with the participation of SHG members, youth, and other participants to educate the general public on cancer and its various ill effects. Placards had been carried with enlightening captions to educate the public on the disease and the measures that needed to be taken for prevention.

Herbal plants had been distributed in a few places in collaboration with Rotary International, emphasising the role of herbs in preventing and mitigating the effects of cancer.

Awareness songs on cancer were released in order to inculcate in the minds of the people the repercussions and the preventive measures related to the cancer care program.

Nutritional food had been distributed to cancer patients in order for them to consume healthy and nutritious food in order to strengthen their immune systems.

Signature campaigns had been organised to enable the general public to extend their solidarity for the cause.

Awareness programmes and seminars were held in a few DSSS to awaken the target population to various dimensions of cancer disease, care, treatment, palliative care, etc.

The volunteers who had been enrolled in the cancer awareness programme were given orientation and input training on cancer, palliative care, referral services, etc.