Unite for Pinktober: Bollywood Actress and Cancer Survivor Mahima Chaudhry shares experiences with audience. 

Ludhiana, October 9, 2024: An annual landmark event “Unite for Pinktober”, a cancer awareness programme, hosted by Krishna Pran Charitable Trust headed by MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora was held at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan here on Wednesday.

The event among others was attended by Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhry, a courageous Breast Cancer survivor. 

During the event, Dr Sunaina interacted to Mahima Chaudhry who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 during which Mahima Chaudhry shared her experiences with the esteemed gathering. She thanked Arora for inviting her as a Guest to raise awareness about cancer specially breast cancer. She spoke about her personal battle with breast cancer and how she emerged stronger from the suffering. 

Mahima Chaudhry said she found herself depressed and lonely after the doctors diagnosed her disease. But she was astonished when the doctors told her that now breast cancer was curable if detected at first stage. And her disease was diagnosed at an initial stage. Therefore, she laid a stress on the need for diagnosing breast cancer at the first stage. She suggested every woman to do self-examination on regular basis to check early symptoms of the disease. 

Adding, Mahima Chaudhry recounted the challenges she faced during the treatment and even after the treatment. She said there is also a need to conduct more research as to why more women are suffering from breast cancer in India. She said instead of getting scared of the disease the patient should try to overcome the situation with a strong will power. Briefing about her life mantra, she said people should live every moment of their life instead of worrying for the past or the future. 

Replying to a question, Mahima Chaudhry suggested to MP Arora to work for bringing a law enabling every citizen to have compulsory health insurance to meet health challenges in the future. She opined that huge money is required to face health challenges like cancer at any stage because treatment is very costly. She said her only message to females is that they should take care of themselves, adding that early detection can prevent breast cancer. It may be mentioned here that Mahima had played remarkable roles in films like Pardes, Daag and Dil Kya Kare. Today, she recommended everyone to watch her latest movie `The Signature.’

In his address, MP Sanjeev Arora spoke about importance of October every year. He said October month is observed as “Pink Month” every year since 1985, adding he thanked Mahima for joining them in creating mass awareness against breast cancer. He said self-examination is the only way to minimise deaths due to the breast cancer. He added with this method the percentage of breast cancer survivors could be increased. He said the symptoms of breast cancer should never be overrated or under-estimated. 

Arora remembered his parents who died of cancer. He said had they were diagnosed at an early stage their lives could have been saved. He said likewise previous years Krishna Pran Charitable Trust has also created a short film this year also for creating mass awareness against breast cancers. The short film was also displayed during the event, which was highly applauded by all present. He thanked everyone who joined today’s event and helping in spreading awareness.

The Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal highly appreciated MP Arora for doing a noble work for creating mass awareness against breast cancer and helping the Cancer patients financially. He said MP Arora is also doing a wonderful job for ensuring affordable healthcare to everyone. 

Dr Sandeep Puri, Dr Gurpreet Brar and Dr Gurpreet Singh Wandar were among those who spoke on the occasion and gave their medical advice to prevent breast cancer and other forms of cancer. They said not only women, but men also suffer from breast cancer. They said Cancer is curable these days and new therapies are coming up with every passage of time and there is no need of scare of the disease.

Among others, Dr Sandhya Sood, Dr Poonam Preet, Dr Bishav Mohan; leading industrialists Padam Shri Rajni Bector, Kamal Oswal, Gagan Khanna, Rajesh Aggarwal, Balbir Kumar Arora, and MP Arora’s wife Sandhya Arora and daughter Ketki Arora, son Kavya Arora were present. Around 800 people were present in audience from various walks of life including college students, Asha workers, members of various women organization, women police officers, also district administration. 

Arora thanked DC and SDM Poonam Preet Kaur for all the efforts put in making even successful.