Manipal Hospitals hosts special evening for young cancer survivors at RCB Match, bringing joy and hope to lives

Bengaluru, April 16, 2024: Manipal Hospitals, the official health partner for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), went out of its way to offer a group of 20 cancer survivors and their families a relaxing and fun-filled evening. This special initiative is taken to provide young cancer survivors and their parents with the experience of an exclusive match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Patients experience fear, grief, and isolation during the period between diagnosis and recovery from cancer. Even after recovery, these feelings persist. Patients must overcome their fears to embrace new opportunities and heal mentally. Especially in children, cancer can be a daunting experience with frequent hospital visits for treatment causing them to abandon their childhood of playing and having fun, losing hope and enthusiasm to live their lives to the fullest. Keeping this in mind, Manipal Hospitals reached out to 20 cancer survivors and their parents, assuring them of proper safety, care, and a fun-filled day at the event. Each participant was given a wristband for easy identification, and with the help of the RCB team, provided an exclusive entry point into the stadium that was less crowded.

Speaking on the initiative, Karthik Rajagopal, Chief Operating Officer, Manipal Hospitals, said, “Manipal Hospitals has always been at the forefront of fostering an environment that inspires patients to embark on new journeys. We recognize the challenges and hardships faced by children battling cancer and aim to offer them moments of joy and inspiration. Bringing them to an IPL match was our way of showing support, spreading smiles, and creating lasting memories. In compliance with the BCCI team's regulations, we arranged health assessments and dispensed medications in advance, with medical stations and committed volunteers on standby to ensure their safety throughout the event.”

Highlighting the case of Jeevan, who was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a rare type of liver cancer in children, at the age of eight. Jeevan had jaundice, abdominal enlargement, weight loss, gastrointestinal hemorrhage (bleeding), nausea/vomiting, and a fever. Despite facing severe symptoms of HCC and underwent chemotherapy at a young age, Jeevan, true to his name, which means 'life' or 'bringer of life,’ demonstrated unwavering strength and resilience in his fight against cancer. Jeevan received extensive treatment at Manipal Hospital in Whitefield, where he was cared for by a team of expert oncologists led by Dr. Vinay Munikoty Venkatesh, Consultant - Paediatric Haematology, Oncology, and BMT, Manipal Hospitals Yeshwanthpur and Whitefield.

Commenting on Jeevan’s medical journey, Dr. Vinay Munikoty Venkatesh said, “"Despite the development of new therapies, HCC remains a 'difficult-to-treat' cancer because HCC typically occurs in advanced liver disease or hepatic cirrhosis. It can be treated surgically with a hepatectomy (the removal of the diseased part of the liver) or a liver transplant. Jeevan underwent multiple cycles of chemotherapy, followed by surgery. He conquered cancer and emerged victorious. He is leading a cancer-free life, living a childhood filled with joy and laughter, and looking forward to a future filled with hopes and dreams.

As part of the Manipal Hospitals Community Connect initiative, Jeevan is among the cancer survivors who had the opportunity to be in the stadium and cheer on his favorite teams in the live IPL match between RCB and SRH. For these resilient children, the outing was more than just a fun event—it was a dream come true as they met their cricketing idols and soaked in the thrilling atmosphere of a live match.