Manipal Hospitals celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day by organizing a ramp walk for 15 cancer survivors of all age groups providing them with an opportunity to share their stories with a message of hope that cancer is curable. The event was graced by Ms. Prema Neravanda Chengappa, a renowned actress from the Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu film industries. The event also had the presence of the Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center team across all cluster units to impart knowledge on the advancement of treatment methods used to tackle 10 types of cancers. The celebrity also joined the cancer survivors, their caretakers, and their respective doctors, on the stage to felicitate them on their brave journey in the fight against cancer. 

They all wore a sash of distinct colors representing specific types of cancers and spoke about their journey to battle against cancer. Following the ramp walk, all patients were called to the dais one by one along with their surgeons / treating oncologists to speak for 5 minutes highlighting the journey of treatment, the challenges, and advanced treatment methods used to combat their disease.

On the occasion, Ms. Prema Neravanda Chengappa, a renowned actress from the Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu film industries, said, “I would like to thank Manipal Hospitals for giving me this opportunity to spend time with these 15 cancer warriors. Battling cancer requires immense strength, both mental and physical. Their stories, filled with resilience and determination, serve as powerful motivators for others fighting against cancer.”

The event was filled with the inspiring stories of athletes, engineers, school students, management professionals, housewives, entrepreneurs, and all-rounders who spoke at length about their struggles and how perseverance helped them fight cancer.

There were 14 cancer survivors at the event including Lakshmikant (52), Amudha (42), Suguna (50), Rajkumar (67), Dayananda (44), Irfan (19), Sandhya (45), S. Mahesh (60), Susan (67), Bhaskara (44), H N Krishnamurthy (75), Mr. Nanjundaswamy (102), Yogita (29), Mr. Vishal (27) and Rishab – name changed (3) who spread the word of hope to those battling cancer.

Mr. Karthik Rajagopal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Manipal Hospitals, said, “At Manipal Hospitals we have always prioritized maintaining quality care and treatment of patients using advanced technologies. Sensing the potential of immunotherapy much before others, we became the first hospital in India to use this line of treatment for cancer patients.” 

The event had the presence of all Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Center teams across all cluster units and enlightened the audience about the latest trends and advancements in the field of oncology. They highlighted the advanced treatment methods, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, etc. that have helped treat patients of all age groups.

Some of the few heart-touching cases are of 102-year-old Mr. Nanjundaswamy, who was diagnosed with colon cancer. He was a former joint director of Public Instruction, Govt. of Karnataka. Despite leading a healthy and active life, at the age of 99 he was diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2023. Despite his advanced age, the patient successfully underwent surgery on 17 March 2023 and recovered successfully.

Another inspiring story is of Mr. H N Krishnamurthy (75-year-old) who is a former Kabbadi player and captain of the Kabbadi Team of Karnataka, who embarked on an inspiring journey in 2015 got diagnosed with rectal cancer. Mr. Krishnamurthy sought medical help and underwent robotic surgery, marking the beginning of his path to recovery.

Mr. Vishal a 27-year-old accountant, who was earlier an under 18 Karnataka state Cricket Team lost hope when he learned that he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. But after learning about the advancement in treatment methods and meeting his doctor, he gained back his confidence and fought against cancer for 2 years, and became cancer free.

Yogita, a 29-year-old female who was aspiring to become an air hostess in the year 2014 learned at the age of 19 that she was diagnosed with Leukemia. However, she never lost hope and approached an oncologist from Manipal Hospital and successfully recovered in the year 2015. Now It’s been over 8 years since her recovery and achieved her dream to become an air hostess with an esteemed aviation company in India.

It was an exceptional team of doctors including Dr. Shabber Zaveri, Chairman HOD and Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr. Amit Rauthan, HOD & Consultant – Medical Oncology, Dr. Rajshekhar C Jaka, Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Dr. Mallikarjun Kalashetty, Consultant – Haematology Haemato Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplantation, Dr. Rahul Kanaka, Consultant Surgical Oncology, Dr. Baswant Rao Malipatil, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Dr. Neelesh Reddy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Dr. Vinay Munikoty Venkatesh, Consultant, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and BMT, Dr. Nitin Yashas Murthy, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Hemato Oncologist, Dr. Abhay Kumar, Consultant Oncologist Dr. Srimanth B S, Consultant Onco Surgery and Dr. Satish Kumar A, Consultant Haematologist and Hemato Oncologist who treated the cancer survivors and gave hope to live a normal life.

Manipal Hospitals has always prioritized and focused on keeping itself equipped with advanced technologies, medicines, and qualified healthcare experts to treat patients suffering from initial to end-stage cancers. The event was certainly a call of hope to all those who are still battling cancer that the disease is treatable if detected at the right time.