Celebrating V-Day eve with a difference

Chandigarh: The Sahayta Charitable Welfare Society celebrated the eve of Valentine's Day at Government Home Science College in Sector 10 on Saturday, focusing on cancer survivors and those still battling the disease. Punjab secretary of medical education and research graced the occasion.
The event started by paying homage to Sahayta's founder president Neelu Tuli, and the theme for the evening was a 'Celebration of Life', which was followed by a dance performance by children who suffered from cancer.About 15 kids -- some of them still undergoing treatment -- presented the musical item.
The resilience and spirit of the children could be felt in their dance moves. A play 'God's Daughter' -- based on a true story of one of Sahayta survivors -- was also enacted.
A tribute was paid to Maya Avasthi and Veena Virk, who worked for the welfare society for seven years, and were also cancer survivors.
Society president Renu Sehgal said: "We work on the lines of our motto -- there is life after cancer, and it is meaningful. We strongly believe that one should never give up." She said: "Sahayta was founded 19 years ago. The society has worked for 2,000 patients, and has provided 800 chemotherapies so far. The funding was record-breaking last year."
Discussing the cancer issue, Dr Amita Trehan explained: "Childhood cancers are very different from adult cancers. The most common types of cancer in children are blood cancer and brain tumour. Treatment results are successively higher in children than in adults." The 'Jeevan Shakti' award was given to Asha Rani and Balwinder Kaur. The 'Bal Shakti' award was given to Anjali, who was diagnozed with blood cancer at the age of 10. She is now 18 years old, and leading a healthy life.
The chief guest donated rupees one lakh to Sahayta Trust and lauded efforts of volunteers to provide holistic help to cancer patients and their families.