Eight most cancers conquerors, aged between 24 and 71, full a four-day trekking expedition at Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand, together with oncologists and nurses, to mark World Cancer Survivors Day
Eight most cancers conquerors, aged between 24 and 71, full a four-day trekking expedition at Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand, together with oncologists and nurses, to mark World Cancer Survivors Day
Three years in the past, Swagathika Acharya was identified with nasopharyngeal most cancers when she was pursuing regulation. At the Raithal base camp in Uttarakhand, the 24-year-old lawyer is triumphant about finishing a four-day trek to the Dayara Bugyal.
“I want my actions to speak louder than words. Cancer is not the end of life; there’s life beyond cancer. I did it!” she says. Now in remission, she is without doubt one of the eight most cancers survivors who scaled 11,830 toes for the “Peak to Peak — Winning over Cancer’‘ expedition organised by Apollo Cancer Centers in partnersip with IndiaHikes.
While some members of the group completed their treatment last year, others completed it a few years ago. Aged between 24 and 71, the group was accompanied by two senior oncologists, two nurses, a communications team, photographers and videographers. Apollo’s team of oncologists selected participants, who were moderately fit, from across the country
When Amitava Dutt, 62, a finance consultant from Kolkata, decided to bring his wife along for support. “I had not stepped out for months, after completing treatment last year,” he says. “ His spirit has never been lacking and he says, “Even when I had to go for radiation, I undertook a 25-kilometre journey to the hospital in the car myself,” he declares, including that though whereas the trek posed challenges, he was delighted that he was capable of attain the summit on time.
A victory march to the summit
“When we finished trekking five kilometers on the first day, I wondered if we made a mistake by bringing cancer survivorsas I found the trek to be a little tough, and also developed altitude sickness,” says Sherin Nirmala Mary, (23) a nurse on the Apollo Proton, Chennai. “But I was impressed by how all of them supported each other, united in their goal and how, in spite of hardship, they marched towards the summit.”
Among those that impressed her was Archana Hosangadi, 50, whobattled breast most cancers in 2019. A banker from Bengaluru, she had been devastated when identified. “I was least worried about losing my black, lustrous hair, but eight cycles of chemotherapy totally threw me out of gear. I was high on fitness and used to be a table tennis player, yet cancer caught me,” she says, including that although the trek was arduous, it was a memorable expertise. “I took it up as a challenge to prove to myself that I can do it,” she provides. .
The Apollo Cancer Centres crew on day two of the trekking expedition.
| Photo Credit: particular association
Dr Rani Bhat, gynecologist and oncologist from Apollo Cancer Hospitals, Bengaluru, says the members displayed extraordinary braveness. “Cancer is curable when detected early, and today due to increased awareness and advanced treatments, we have a good number of people who have conquered this disease. Which is why the need of the hour is providing support for them. ”
Amid the golden oaks
The trekkers loved consuming wild Himalayan strawberries as they climbed, crossing rhododendrons, golden oaks, and walnut and apple timber. Priyanka Shukla, a 40-year-old from Chhattisgarh, underwent early-stage breast most cancers therapy in 2016. She trekked with two energy banks so her telephone doesn’t run out of cost. “I am addicted to Tik Tok and post a couple of videos daily.”
Trekkers crossing the Gui village in Dayara Bugyal
Diagnosed within the early phases of breast most cancers in 2016, Priyanka says she and her husband now work in direction of spreading the message of most cancers consciousness. “This trek is significant for me as I can tell women that I meet way back that all is well with me.”
The different aspect of the mountain
Shalini S (identify modified), a 35 year-old IT worker from Mysore was identified with early stage breast most cancers in 2021, a couple of months after she obtained engaged. “I called off my engagement, and underwent treatment for three months (surgery and radiation). Post the treatment, I ran for three to five kilometers daily and that gave me the confidence to trek,” she says.
Sushrut Karpe a 32-year-old who works as design head in an IT firm in Pune, says that he focuses on spreading optimistic messages. He was 26 when he was advised that he was in stage two of colon most cancers. “Even when undergoing chemotherapy, I would walk around the ward and talk to other patients, making them all laugh loud. I just had to put my life on hold for a while until the treatment was completed, and then get back to my usual routine. This trek further sends a positive message that cancer is not the end of life, but there is a beautiful life beyond that.”
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The mindpower
According to Swetha Udadhyay, senior supervisor, Apollo Cancer Centers, Bangalore says she has seen many sufferers overcome most cancers due to their psychological energy, and this is applicable to trekking as nicely. “We chose Dayara Bugyal, as it was meant for beginners, its categories as easy and moderate, and most importantly the trekking route had easy exit points, in case of any emergency. We also had an ambulance stationed at the base camp.” “Peak to peak winning over cancer, was a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community,” says Dinesh Madhavan, president, Apollo Cancer Centres.
Priyanka Shukla on the tenting web site of Dayara Bugyal
| Photo Credit: particular association
Deepak Danu, the trek chief who led the crew together with 4 others, says the braveness, endurance and confidence exhibited by all the most cancers conquerers have been superb. “This team is the classic example of how to prove the point that it is mental strength, more than physical ability, that is important for trekking in such mountain terrain. In fact it was the mind power of all of them that helped them reach the summit on day three,” he says
To maintain spirits up, India Hikes curated an attention-grabbing menu, from pastas to gulab jamun, fruit custards and pineapple sheera at a ten,000-meters altitude.
The trekkers on the summit, 11, 830 meters altitude.
| Photo Credit: particular association
While Sherin is pleased with all her costs, she says, “I was especially in awe of 71-year-old Kunal Kumar Das, who was treated for kidney cancer in 1995, trekking ahead of everyone, singing and cracking jokes. This was indeed a tremendous feat.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
