Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM), pics by Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Aug 1: Their battle is against breast cancer. On a mission to spread awareness and clearing inhibitions and myths on breast cancer Dr Ritu Biyani Joseph, a dentist and Vandana Nathu, a film-maker reached city on Monday, Jul 31.
As part of their project, Highways-A Breast Cancer Awareness Drive they addressed a huge gathering at SDM Law College. The programme was organized by ABVP.
They have covered a distance of over 18,000 kms, a truly commendable job by this duo who are cancer survivors themselves and are on war footing to spread awareness that early detection and treatment can save lives.
Dr Ritu Biyani, who spearheads this drive across India, is a 47-year-old dental surgeon. Thirty year-old Vandana Nathu who came out of treatment eight months ago has set a goal for herself to reach out as many as possible.
Her mission is to conduct awareness camps on breast, oral and cervical cancers. Dr Ritu has driven a total of 30,000 kms cross country in India and Bhutan and wants to use adventure sport with her awareness campaigns.
“It’s a six-month project which will culminate in the third Asia Pacific ‘Reach to Recovery’ International Breast Cancer support Conference on 6th Nov 2006 at the Hilton Towers, Mumbai. The project has support from the Women’s Cancer Initiative Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai as sponsors and Cancer Patients Aid Association Mumbai as a support body the message gained momentum,” said Dr Ritu.
The elements of the movement, she adds is to facilitate personal interaction and dispelling myths related to the disease. Teaching self- examination and dissemination of information regarding the disease are also a part of the mission.
On Monday, the duo interacted with over 400 students from various colleges in the city.
Ritu and Vandana addressed a student group at SDM Law College and a group of teachers at Besant Women’s College in the city.
The duo has traveled through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, north eastern parts of India, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Through their 95 camps, they have educated over 18,000 people from all walks of life so far.