Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 22: Following up on the success of organizing eight similar events, the Jewels Group, in association with the Mangaluru city police commissionerate, AJ Hospital & Research Centre, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and the Indian Cancer Society, organized its 9th free cancer awareness and screening camp, on June 20 at the A J Hospital, Mangaluru.

This camp was organized for the Mangaluru city police officers, police personnel and their families. Around 215 members of the police force attended the camp and took part in the screening process.

The occasion was graced by Siddharth Goyal (IPS), DCP, law & order, Mangaluru city police as the chief guest and M A Upase, ACP, city armed reserve (CAR) and Dr Prashanth P Marla, medical director, A J Hospital & Research Centre (AJHRC) were the guests of honor. Shaila Lobo, regional operations manager, Indian Cancer Society, Mangaluru region and Florine Saldanha, social worker, Jewels Group, also graced the occasion.

The event began with the invoking the almighty’s blessings with a prayer song by the staff of AJ oncology department. Dr Kavitha, radiation oncologist, A J Hospital, welcomed the gathering. The dignitaries were felicitated with mementos. The programme was conducted by the students of the oncology department.

Speaking of his personal experience Goyal in his message, highlighted the importance of such camps which help create awareness about the scourge of cancer and also the need for periodic screenings for the timely detection of the disease. He thanked the three organizations, namely, the Jewels Group, AJHRC and the Indian Cancer Society for 'thinking about the men & women in uniform also as people' who find it difficult to maintain their personal health due to the nature of their work and for partnering with the police in this noble cause.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Marla said that cancer is a treatable disease and stressed the need for periodic body check-ups to detect the disease in its early stages. He thanked the Jewels Group for their noble efforts in building a cancer free society.

The presentation on cancer awareness and screening was conducted by Dr Kamalaksh Shenoy, HOD, radiation oncology, AJHRC, which was followed by a Q&A session.

Alwyn D’Souza, a Jewels member, in his message, informed the gathering that the Jewels Group, since its founding in December 2017, has contributed approximately Rs 70 lac towards the hospital bills, treatment and medical expenses of 150 less fortunate patients, by direct transfers to the respective hospital accounts and also that the group has organized 8 similar camps in and around Mangaluru during the past two years.

Oliveera of the Jewels Group proposed the vote of thanks.