Wockhardt Hospitals organise drawing competition for school children to spread cancer awareness

Mumbai, February 4, 2015: Wockhardt Hospitals, South Mumbai organised the ‘Cancer Awareness Day’ with a smile. Students from different city-based schools participated in large numbers at the Intra School drawing competition, on February 4, 2015, in the hospital premises. The event aimed at debunking the myths and fear about cancer and to spread a ray of hope amongst the survivors.

“Themed as ‘Life wins – fight against cancer’, children in the age-group of 8 to 12 years responded enthusiastically by turning out intriguing and colorful sketches on their drawing sheets. “It was such a wonderful experience for both the school children and the Hospital, since Children undergoing cancer treatment also participated in the event to give the messages that “when there is will, there is way” hence “life wins”. We found that the children who had participated in this competition had given a thought and conceptualized as such they research and read about it. Our attempt was to generate awareness amongst the people at large through the sketches by the small wonders. It is possible that they might not be interested if we restrict the awareness to the textbooks. The country’s youth is enriched with information and also helps to spread the right message of fighting the disease bravely,” said Zahabiya Khorakiwala, Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals.

Zahabiya Khorakiwala added, “We at Wockhardt Hospitals not only provide the best treatment for the cancer survivors, but also strive to stand for the cause to fight out the dreaded disease and keep the flame alive.”

Talking about the Hospital’s preventive and curative program against the cancer, Dr Boman Dabhar,  Medical Oncologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, South Mumbai, said, “It was an overwhelming experience to witness a huge gathering of students and their schools supporting the noble cause of creating awareness about cancer. As children are the future of the nation, such initiatives create an immense impact amongst the population at large.”

“Today, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 13 million new cases diagnosed every year. Numbers are rising and, compared with figures at the start of the new millennium, are expected to double by 2020, and triple by 2030. Yet, according to the WHO, up to one in three cancers can be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes” Said Dr Boman Dabhar.

The drawing competition was followed by a street play, ‘Suresh ki Kahaani’ by Ameya Mahajan and his team. Subsequently, a corporate film was played for doctors, school principals and teachers on coping with cancer. The students were awarded for their best drawings and trophies were given as a token of appreciation to the participating schools. Similarly, the principals and teachers of each school were felicitated by the Hospital and were handed out the participating certificates for their respective schools.

School Participated in cancer awareness drawing competition: St. Mary's High School - ICSE, Regina Pacis, St Lady Engineer High School, NMT English Medium High School, Balmohan Vidya Mandir, KMS Shirodkar High School - CBSC, KMS Shirodkar High School, Sharadashram Vidya Mandir High School, Cankid High School, Banerjee School.