Life Beyond Cancer with Rotary District 3291 organised a special concert for a special cause on February 23 at Rabindra Sadan. The event saw a performance by the legendary Usha Uthup and the multi-talented actress, Rituparna Sengupta. The duo alongside other Rotarians also felicitated a handful of paediatric cancer survivors with some of them putting up brilliant performances too.
Notably, Life Beyond Cancer is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the survival and well-being of paediatric cancer patients. It is a joint initiative by Rotary Club of Calcutta Jadavpur and Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar. No Child Should Die of Cancer is the motto of the initiative, which sees participation from hundreds of volunteers who come from varied walks of life. Founder of Life Beyond Cancer, Partha Sarkar said: “We raise funds for the treatment of cancer in underprivileged children and work on their rehabilitation into society while they are being treated and once they’re cancer-free. For instance, I know of this child who was cured of stomach cancer but when he returned to school, other parents and children wanted him out of the class because apparently they thought cancer is contagious. We strive to be the bridge by providing the funds and by providing the aftercare required. We have paediatricians, child psychologists and several other doctors working with us. Every year, 50,000 children in India are diagnosed with cancer and that is just what is recorded. Now, 90 per cent of paediatric cancer can be cured, which is why we believe that not everyone can save a child from cancer but everyone can give them a life beyond cancer.” Sarkar has lost both his parents to cancer and was a pharmacist who recognised the need for awareness around paediatric cancer. LBC also spreads awareness through blood donation camps, workshops and educational initiatives in rural schools amongst parents and social groups.
Rituparna was accompanied by Avirup Sengupta
Rituparna Sengupta, who is also the cause ambassador for Life Beyond Cancer, has had a long connection to social causes. She said: “I am personally very affected by this cause. Like many of us, I have lost many friends and family members to cancer and the pain is huge. When it comes to children, they really should not see cancer, even the thought is dreadful. I have grown too attached to the treatment of paediatric cancer simply because children are the best gifts from God.” She added: “I love the work Life Beyond Cancer is doing. They have a list of doctors and hospitals too. In fact, after I started professing this cause, SSKM (Hospital) joined hands with this cause too. I was in the USA a few days back and I started talking about the cause on public forums and showing people how even a meagre amount can create such a huge difference in children’s lives. Anjali and Priti are cancer survivors who have lost their limbs and I taught them to dance and have also performed with them. They used to make lovely cards and on Diwali; I send people cards made by them. So, it’s the little efforts and the little contributions. Everyone has a busy life but some moral and social responsibilities are unsaid and do not have to take much time.” Rituparna’s new mental health awareness organisation, One Rishta, also supported the event at Rabindra Sadan.
Cancer survivor kids Anjali and Priti impressed everyone as they danced beautifully with their troupe on Bawsonto ese geche
Interestingly, Usha Uthup did not start her performance until the donations began. She said: “Any one of you needs to put whatever you can in the donation box for me and my band to begin our performance.” The veteran singer and composer added: “I have always been in love with Calcutta. And a cause like this… ah I have waited so long for this day!” The filled auditorium at Rabindra Sadan kept swaying to her music that included songs like Tune maari entriyan, Jamal kudu, Ekla cholo re, Tomake niye ami achi and Hari om Hari.
Dr Ravi Kannan, an oncologist who has won the Magsaysay Award, was a guest at the event. He said: “I have been working in cancer treatment and research over three decades now. Life Beyond Cancer is a very important initiative to cure and spread awareness around paediatric cancer.”
