Cancer affected children celebrate life with Takla Takli March

New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) Even though a majority of childhood cancer is curable, about 80 per cent children suffering from cancer in India do not survive due to lack of awareness, late diagnosis, detection, inadequate cancer facilities and the exorbitant cost of treatment.

Each year, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and it is estimated that 90,000 will eventually die of their disease. While 70 per cent to 90 per cent childhood cancers are curable, in India as many as 80 per cent children in India do not survive, Cankids, a family support group for children with cancer and their families pointed out.

To highlight this grim reality and celebrate the spirit of life of these children, Cankids organised a very special gift for children with cancer on the International Childhood Cancer day yesterday.

Termed Taklu Takli March Past&Cycle Relay Extravaganza, it included Fun games, Rock band performances, Photo Exhibition, and a Banner Competition. The children were also gifted with cycles at this extravaganza at The Dhyanchand National Stadium, India Gate. It was all done with one aim, to spread the message that, "Childhood Cancer is Curable".

The Taklu Takli March Past Extravaganza, was an interschool march past and cycle-sprint competition, where children from 15 leading schools of Delhi joined together to salute children with cancer and their families and also showed solidarity for the 2010 games in Delhi.

There was also a photo exhibition titled "Through my eyes" which showed "A Day in the Life of Children with Cancer Around the World, Cancer in the Home and Community" which included photographs captured by children suffering from cancer from India which will also be exhibited all over the world to show others what living with childhood cancer looked like from their perspective. This was conducted with support from International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organisations (ICCCPO) and SIOP (International Association of Pediatric Onclogists).

A CanKids National Scholarship Programme for children with cancer was also announced on this occasion in recognition of the indomitable courage and to encourage and motivate cancer-affected children to pursue a normal and natural academic and extra-curricular life.

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