Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Jul 7: Harteij Bharatesh from Madhya Pradesh, who is on a mission to spread awareness about cancer across the nation, arrived in the city from Kannur, Kerala on Thursday July 7 evening.
A cancer survivor himself, Bharatesh arrived in the city as part of his nationwide 'Ride of Hope' journey on a Kawasaki Ninja bike.
Addressing media persons at Mangalore Institute of Oncology, he said that he has taken up this challenge of travelling across the country with the intention of meeting cancer patients and giving them hope that the disease can be cured.
Bharatesh started his journey in Raipur, Chhatisgarh on his Kawaski Ninja 300, on May 1 this year, and hopes to accomplish thirty thousand kilometres within the next five months. "Already, I have completed 10,000 kilometers, riding through different states including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and visiting all the major cities. I will end my journey in Chattisgarh and my next destination is Udupi."
Asked about his travel, he said that he travels about 5-6 hours per day and so far he has not faced any difficulties. "Wherever I go bikers from the city join hands with me. They manage my stay, my food and help me reach out to the cancer patients and schools in their city and become a part of my mission. In Mangaluru, team Zero Gravity will be assisting me in my mission and I am thankful to them. I have met around 2,000 cancer patients and about 3,000 people so far," he said.
A law graduate, 26-year-old Bharatesh was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in his fourth year of college. After years of treatment that eventually cured him, he embarked on a mission to meet other cancer patients and boost their confidence by narrating his own battle. He credits his victory over the dreaded disease to the treatment he underwent, the doctors and his family who stood by him through the toughest of days.
He updates his experiences on his Facebook page.
Family support
Asked how his family reacted to his decision to travel across the country, he said, "Initially, when I told my family about this journey, they refused stating that the food and changing weather patterns would hamper my health. But later, looking at my enthusiasm they permitted me and boosted my spirit every now and then. In fact, all the expenses till date have been borne by my family."
The brave rider is looking for sponsors who can help him in his journey and want to be part of this cause.
Addressing media persons on the occasion, Dr Suresh Rao from Mangalore Institute of Oncology said that in Mangaluru the most common type of cancer is mouth cancer caused due to chewing tobacco and the alarming fact is that youth between 25-40 years of age are prone to this disease. "What every cancer patient needs to keep in mind is that 80 percent of the cases can be cured. Patients die mainly due to the fear and stigma that cancer can not be cured."
The biker will be in the city for three days, addressing various institutions, NGOs and cancer treatment centers and will be given a 'Bikers send off' by the bikers of Team Zero Gravity. Those who wish to interact with Bharatesh and help him in the cause can contact him through Team Zero Gravity on 8050230759.