Bollywood makes its presence felt for breast cancer’ cause
By ANISunday, March 28, 2010
MUMBAI - Bollywood lent a helping hand to the cause of breast cancer-affected people and spread public awareness about the dangers associated with cancer on Saturday, when actors Sanjay Dutt and Sharman Joshi rewarded winners of a rally organized here recently.
Organised at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds here, ‘The Lavasa Women’s Drive 2010′ was held on March 7 to raise awareness and aid for cancer among women.
Dutt, Joshi and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan presented trophies to the winners.
Dutt told reporters that he felt responsible about spreading awareness about cancer, as he remembered how his mother and yesteryear actor Nargis had struggled and died of cancer.
“I want to say that awareness (about cancer), I think, came after my mother (actress Nargis Dutt) passed away and my father (actor Sunil Dutt) thought that people of the country should have the same kind of treatment. Together, we travelled across India and realised that for a woman to come to a doctor and say that she has breast cancer was a big thing in our country. But there is nothing wrong in that. I mean, early detection of cancer can be cured. And, I would request and I would advise; even if there is slightest hint (of cancer), there’s nothing wrong; you have to go and have yourself checked,” said Dutt.
Dutt has attended several events across the country to spread awareness and collect funds for breast cancer patients.
Joshi also voiced similar concerns and said that awareness is extremely essential.
“All I would like to say is, which I mentioned earlier, is that when such women make such a great difference to your lives, it’s very important that these women are made aware [or they are aware] of these diseases, especially cancer that attacks them, and arrest it very early so that they can be cured and do not suffer,” he said.
The three winners were given a reward of rupees 600,000 each, which they are donating towards the Woman’s Cancer Initiative, a voluntary initiative focusing on various issues related to cancer in women.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Every year 200,000 new cases are diagnosed and over 47,000 women die of breast cancer in India. (ANI)
