Kids with cancer walk ramp with Ms India finalists

Mumbai, Mar 25: It was a special day for children suffering from cancer as they walked the ramp with Miss India 2009 finalists here on Tuesday, Mar 24 evening to create awareness that cancer is curable and to raise funds for an NGO engaged in fighting cancer.

The kids took to the ramp one after another along with the Femina Miss India contestants and were later crowned.

Bollywood actor Kumar Gaurav, accompanied by his wife Namrata Dutt, attended the function, boosting the morale of children.

"It will create a lot of awareness because a lot of people think that cancer is not curable. But when detected early you can cure cancer and come out of it," said Namrata Dutt.

Kumar Gaurav added, "I think it's more about telling people and making them aware of this disease. How it can be prevented if people do regular check-ups? People don't go for check-ups due to fear of the word cancer, but if diagnosed at the right time, it is curable.

The Miss India contestants also took up some painting lessons and showed their talent on canvas. The paintings would be auctioned and the funds would go for the welfare of the cancer patients.

"We all did paintings. It's going to get auctioned," said Hanika, a Femina Miss India finalist.

According to WHO reports, more than 11 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year, with 800,000 cases being reported in India alone.

Cancer causes seven million deaths every year-or 12.5 percent of deaths worldwide. It is estimated that by 2020, there will be 16 million new cases every year.

ANI