Monthly Report, December 2000

Main Stories

Bringing in the New Year
CPAA’s New Delhi Branch Celebrates Fun Day 2000
Public Service Advertising

Department Reports

Cancer Awareness Programme
Prevention and Early Detection
Summary
Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre

Insurance

At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre
At Tata Memorial Hospital
At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children
"Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD
Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward
Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital

Rehabilitation

Bringing in the New Year

Cancer Patients Aid Association takes this opportunity to wish all readers and their families a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Come December and people are filled with Christmas cheer. Whether rich or poor, young or old, everyone seems to want to share the peace and goodwill abounding with those less fortunate. Or so it seems at Cancer Patients Aid Association. The month of December saw not one, not two but 4 parties arranged by various organisations in conjunction with CPAA. The first party was held at Crossroads on the 13^th of December, the next one was on 15^th and was arranged by the children of Villa Theresa School, the third one was on 19^th at The Oberoi and finally a Christmas eve party was held at the Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre which was arranged by the Rotaract. Given below is a glimpse of the fun and games at these events.

13^th December at Crossroads: Ms. Rashmi Nath of Crossroads arranged this party as a part of the activities of the Crossroads Institute of Personality Development and Community Welfare. 25 children were entertained in the atrium of the mall with a Magic Show. Mrs. Urvi Piramal, wife of late Mr. Ashok Piramal, took time out from her busy schedule to spend time chatting with the children. The children then trooped up to the first floor where they played video games and went go-karting at Crossroads amusement centre, "Jammin". There was good food, gifts and fun galore.

15^th December at Villa Theresa: It is always heartwarming to observe an effort by today’s so-called privileged teenagers to reach out to those who are less privileged than themselves. To witness a truly thoughtful gesture as was made during the party on 15^th December was a moving experience. On the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, the 9^th and 10^th standard children of Villa Theresa School organised a party for 32 cancer patients. The children danced to the music and sang popular songs together. Each child was given a quilt to protect them against the approaching winter.

19^th December at The Oberoi: 32 children were entertained at the Regal Room in The Oberoi. The programme consisted of a Magic Show, dance and song. An orchestra kept the kids occupied and the traditional Christmas fare including cake, chips and drinks flowed. Each child was given a T-shirt.

24^th Decemeber at Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre: The Rotaract Club of Churchgate along with CPAA organised a party at the centre for 80 children and their family members. The highlight was a game of "Passing the Parcel" where a number of unknown talents were discovered. Sachin Patole had everyone in fits of laughter with his mimicry, some children told jokes and Mukund Kamble sang his favourite songs. One donor distributed biscuits and caps and hankies were given to each child. Laddoos, farsan, cake and drinks were provided.

Everyone had a great time. And for a while the problems of the world were forgotten in a shower of goodwill and sympathy.

CPAA’s New Delhi Branch Celebrates Fun Day 2000

CPAA’s Delhi branch organised Fun Day on 18^th December, 2000 at Appu Ghar. Preaparations involved hard work and planning on the part of Ms. Kiran Hukku, Director of the branch and her team, Ms. Niharika Raina, Ms. Manju Dhar, Ms. Sudha Murgai and Ms. Kerman Moitra. Gifts were packed; the venue and entertainment programme was organised; celebrities were contacted; transport was arranged. There was even a complete rehearsal of the entire programme on the 17^th to ensure that everything went smoothly. The day lived up to its name and proved to be fun filled for the patients, celebrities and organizers alike.

Volunteers escorted the patients along with their family members from all over Delhi, to the immensely popular Amusement Park. The programme started with performances from patients who willingly went on the stage to entertain friends and family. This was followed by an interesting presentation by Vigyan Manch. Celebrities, Manpreet Brar, Sushma Seth and Ruchi Malhotra were on hand to add cheer. The highlight of the day was a routine by Punjabi pop star, Bhupi Chawla, who got everyone’s feet tapping and hands clapping. Patients and audience alike joined the artistes on the stage and danced with great gusto. A number of school children were present as volunteers to assist CPAA representatives. All of them expressed their joy and satisfaction in being able to bring happiness into the lives of those struggling so valiantly against this disease.

Appu Ghar, CPAA’s friends and associates in this endeavour every year, provided a delicious meal. Besides this, each patient received a special gift, clothes, sweaters, pouches, toys, biscuits, snacks and Coke cans. The generosity of Crax Namkeens who provided T-shirts, Coca Cola who donated pouches as well as the Coke cans and Tops who gave juices for the event must be mentioned. It was an extremely successful day on all fronts and will remain a pleasant memory in the minds of everyone involved.

Public Service Advertising

The word cancer immediately invokes terror and thoughts of death in the minds of most people. At the same time, the incidence of cancer is on the rise. It is evident from one’s experience that it is becoming a more and more common disease with a case in every family. In fact, cancer is not something to be feared. A majority of cancers can be prevented by adopting healthy social practices and, if detected early, can be totally cured. In India, there is a need for education and information on various aspects of cancer. Even educated patients have a problem accessing information. Recognising this particular problem, Cancer Patients Aid Association has tried to identify ways and means of tackling it. In this challenge we are assisted by a number of advertising agencies that are committed to spreading the message to as many people as possible that will benefit from it. During December a series of advertisements appeared in the print medium, on hoardings and on television, which attempt to provide information on the harms of tobacco and benefits of Breast Self Examination.

A film showing on several TV channels including Zee TV and DD Metro shows a couple of aged men getting up in a packed to allow a young man who is smoking to sit. They tell each other, "This man does not have much time to live." The advertisement made by Piyush Pande of O&M Advertising is especially effective since it targets the younger generation who are still making the decision whether to smoke or not. A number of teenagers have given positive feedback about the film.

The message "Every cigarette pack comes with an expiry date…..Smoking kills" appears on a hoarding at Worli. The ad created by Contract Advertising effectively drives home the point that smoking decreases the life expectancy of a person by an average of 7 years. Smokers between the ages of 35 and 70 have death rates three times higher than those who have never smoked.

A series of advertisements made by Contract Advertising also appeared in Indian Express and Loksatta regarding Passive Smoking. Too often, smokers endanger the lives of non-smokers by smoking in their presence. Recently, studies have shown that such second hand smoke can also raise the risk of contracting cancer significantly. The danger is especially grave for children of parents who smoke. They are more likely to suffer from pneumonia or bronchitis in the first two years of life than children who live in smoke-free households. Several studies have also established a link with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Children of parents who smoke have a twofold-increased risk of dying of SIDS.

Varsha Chawda of SOMAC, the Social Marketing & Communication wing of Lintas, created a hoarding showing the word "BREASTS" in mirror image. The hoarding says "Check in the mirror at least once a month." The hoarding, which was put up at the Babulnath corner, helps to emphasise the importance of Breast Self Examination in diagnosis of breast cancer at the earliest possible stage when it is curable.

Trikaya Grey devised an advertisement showing a tongue protruding out of a mouth. The copy, extending over the tongue says "Cut here." A coupon is provided for mailing to CPAA for information. The ad seems to have been very effective since a number of enquiries were received due to the ad that appeared in Loksatta.

CPAA is indeed grateful to these agencies for acting out of a sense of moral responsibility. Their efforts will help people to imbibe the message of Prevention and Early Detection.

Mrs. Zainab Allana and her group consisting of Mrs. Sushila Sawant, Mrs. Swati Kulkarni, Mrs. Jyotsna Sawant, Ms. Rouhie Matani, Mr. Laxmikant Naik, Mrs. Mani Irani and Ms. Sunita Sakpal continue to perform sterling service through the Cancer Awareness Programme. An Awareness Drive was conducted at B.M.C., Crawford Market Branch, Bombay Dyeing Spring Mill-Parel. About 4000 people were covered in the lectures.

Prevention and Early Detection

33 camps and OPDs were held during the month of December. Out of the 22 camps held, 6 camps were held for wives of employees of Oil and Natural Gas Commission, 4 each at HDFC and for the National Railway Mazdoor Union – Dockyard and 2 each at Lions Club of Khar Danda; Mahendra Tractor, Ghatkopar; Lourdes Community Centre, Orlem and for the Army, Malad.

A total of 721 people, 206 males and 515 females were screened in the camps. 190 were advised follow up. One case of cervical cancer was detected at the camp held at Lourdes Community Centre, Orlem, Malad.

11 OPDs and clinics were held during December. 70 males and 109 females were screened. 39 people were advised follow up.

Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre

From a monthly average of around 200 patients, the Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened more than double, a mammoth number of 422 patients during December. 2208 tests were performed, out of which 1933 were pathological tests. 4 free tests were performed. 13 sonography, 248 x-ray and 14 mammography investigations were carried out.

The Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre was opened in November 1998. In the last 2 years it has gone from strength to strength largely due to the efforts of Ms. Valsa Peter. It had been a recognised aim of the centre that it should generate an income of at least Rs. 1 lakh every month. At Rs. 1.43 lakh, the total income for this month not only crossed the one-lakh mark, but was actually approaching Rs. 1.5 lakh for the first time. This is especially creditable since most of the investigations are done at rates lower than most commercial diagnostic clinics. The aim of making the centre an economically viable unit while helping the maximum number of persons from the lower economic strata, has been met to the satisfaction of everyone involved. One should acknowledge the hard work put in by Ms. Valsa Peter and her group, Rajshree, Ejaz, Julie and Sanjay. Congratulations!

Insurance

17 new policies were registered in December, bringing the total to 6632. 91 people were examined, of whom 27 had come for the first check-up and 64 for renewal check up. Rs. 2.1 lakhs was disbursed towards claims made.

Patient Care

Over the past year, it was increasingly felt that with every month, it was becoming more and more difficult to provide assistance to the 50-80 new patients registered. Keeping in mind existing commitments, the alternatives available were to spread the benefits too thin to be really meaningful or to limit the number of people. Hence it was decided to restrict the number of new registrations to the bare minimum for the months of December and January.

6 new patients were registered during the month of December, 2 under the Adoption category and 4 under the Special Adoption category. 294 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance. 136 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 20 patients who availed of the service for long distance. 25 sets of clothes, 60 packets of biscuits and 55 boxes of Complan were distributed. 6 home and institutional visits were made. Donations amounting to Rs. 58,401 were collected and Rs. 2.10 lakhs were disbursed. Three of our patients expired during the month.

At Tata Memorial Hospital

166 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA’s Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital during December. 250 packets of biscuits were distributed. 60 patients were given clothes, 51 sets of sarees and towels were distributed. 7 kgs of sweets were distributed. 8 referred cases were helped. 120 patients were given rations. 88 patients were given Complan and 10 patients were given medicines.

At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children

13 new patients were registered during the month. 821 patients attended follow up of whom 122 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 50 patients were counseled and given guidance and 20 patients were visited in their wards. 3 group meetings regarding cleanliness and diet were organised.

"Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD

This month, Jennifer Quadros helped 130 patients, providing information on various kinds of cancers, helping in filling up forms and answering questions about the hospital. CPAA has also provided newspapers for the benefit of patients waiting in the registration area. 146 patients made use of the facility. 9 ward visits were made and 121 patients were given literature.

Readers of the November Monthly Report have read the write up about Mr. Nathu L. Patil, a patient of intestinal cancer who was befriended by Jenny. Mr Patil received generous assistance from Asian Paints Charitable Trust, which will help him to complete his ongoing chemotherapeutic treatment.

Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward

27 patients were counseled out of whom 6 were registered with CPAA. 7 new patients were counseled and 11 were given guidance during OPD and ward visits. Cases of cervical (19), breast (3) and ovarian (5) cancers were visited in the wards. Three terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram.

Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital

9 patients, 4 males and 5 females were counseled during the month of December. There were 4 cases of cancer of the abdomen, 2 cases each of Head and Neck and cervical cancer and one case of cancer of the rectum

Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Centre adopted one new patient this month. A total of 63 patients were helped. 5 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 260 patients were given rations worth Rs. 31,502. Rs. 19,420 was spent on teachers’ salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 89,765 was spent on patients’ wages and Rs. 17,318 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements.

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