'Cancer Detection Month' is an initiative underscored by the shared credo of YouWeCan and ICS that 'prevention is better than cure'. YouWeCan, is guided by core objectives of building awareness about cancer, developing cancer detection centers pan India for early detection, and minimizing the social stigma against cancer. Having recently commemorated its first anniversary, YouWeCan aims to fulfill its mission with renewed vigor. Its partnership with ICS in launching 'Cancer Detection Month' with free screenings is a huge and affirmative step in this direction.
Speaking at a press conference in Bangalore, Yuvraj Singh urged citizens to take a proactive stance in prioritizing their health, "Cancer is a leading life threatening disease in India. A newspaper report in February 2013 based on the latest figures from the Population Based Cancer Registry reveals that Bangalore is the 'Cancer capital of India'. It is evident that Indians are more prone to cancer than ever before. In this scenario, regular or annual medical checkups should be part of everybody's health checklist. Early detection of cancer is critical in saving lives. YouWeCan is here to generate awareness about cancer and facilitate its early detection. Our mission has gained momentum and strength to cover more geographic areas by joining hands with ICS. I request people to opt for this free screening without second thoughts.
Kishore S Rao, Chairman, Indian Cancer Society - Karnataka Branch, commented, "This initiative by ICS in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bangalore, has been through a partnership with YouWeCan. We strongly believe that this move is an attempt at spreading awareness about cancer and making the public confident that cancer discovered early has a better chance of being contained and managed".
ICS has been conducting free screenings since 1978, and leverages well-equipped Mobile Detection Units in remote rural locations that lack access to primary health care facilities. In Karnataka, ICS has partnered with its associate, Karnataka Cancer Society, to conduct public awareness programs and early detection camps besides joining hands with Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar to set up Karunashraya, a registered public charitable hospice providing free-of-charge professional palliative care for advanced stage cancer patients. YouWeCan in association with Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals launched its first Mobile Screening Unit in February 2013 which screened over 1,000 people of which 100 have been diagnosed with cancer.
The joint mission of YouWeCan, ICS and KCS is a Herculean effort, no doubt. However, the selfless service, expertise and dedication of all three organizations to combat cancer through awareness, supported by proactive public participation can help catch cancer early in citizens and help them have a winning innings.
About YouWeCan
YouWeCan is a cancer foundation established by ace Indian cricketer and cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh in 2012 which aims to spread awareness about cancer. It was founded by Yuvraj Singh upon his winning a long battle against cancer and guided by core objectives of building awareness about cancer, developing cancer detection centers pan India for early detection, and minimizing the social stigma against cancer. In September 2012, the YouWeCan mobile application, primarily for the Windows phone, was launched by Microsoft. Part of the purchase price (565/US$8.60) of this application is donated to Yuvraj Singh Foundation to support its mission pertaining to cancer awareness. In the same month, the Foundation announced its collaboration with Colors to produce a television show, Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai, inspired by Yuvraj's story of battling against and surviving cancer.
About Indian Cancer Society (ICS)
Founded in 1951 by Dr D J Jussawalla and Naval Tata, Indian Cancer Society (ICS) is a pioneer NGO in cancer care in India. A registered Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 and the Societies Registration Act of 1860, ICS has several firsts to its credit. The Mumbai headquarters of ICS is the official delegate to the UICC (International Union against Cancer) in Geneva, and a Founder Member of the Asian Federation of Cancer. ICS has been responsible for starting rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors, helping establish the first Chemotherapy Centre and Cytology Laboratory in India at the Tata Memorial Hospital, establishing Asia's oldest population-based Cancer Registry, publishing the Indian Journal of Cancer, setting up India's first Cancer Detection Unit through a mobile unit for check-ups, screening and creating awareness, and developing India's first cancer insurance policy in association with New India Assurance. ICS renders yeoman service through six branches and 28 affiliates which includes total care for cancer patients from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This encompasses providing food, medicines, transport, prostheses, colostomy bags, counseling services, social welfare and job placement services free of charge. ICS also helps cancer patients, especially those from rural backgrounds, to be self- employed. Additionally, ICS has started a new scheme along with HDFC Debt Fund called the ICS Cancer Cure Fund for poor young people including children who are victims of cancer. Under this scheme, a sum of over Rs.7.20 crores has been distributed to 328 patients below the age of 30. Arrangements are being made to extend this scheme to Karnataka.
About Karnataka Cancer Society (KCS)
Karnataka Cancer Society is an NGO founded in 1968 by a group of philanthropists and eminent doctors to raise awareness about cancer, enable its early detection, and promote curative services. KCS has a multi-specialty free outpatient clinic with free consultation for cancer patients, a full-fledged laboratory, an oral cancer detection facility and a dental clinic. It provides drugs at subsidized costs to cancer and general patients, and oral morphine for pain management among terminally ill and advanced stage cancer patients. KCS enjoys the continued patronage of His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka, Hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka, Hon. Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Hon. Minister of Social Welfare and the Worshipful Mayor among others.
