Y's MEN INTERNATIONAL
India Area
India Area Project 'Cancer Care ' receives widespread response.
The India Area Project (2008-2009) 'Cancer Care ' envisioned by Ym.Thomas V John (AP) has received an enthusiastic pan-Indian response .Clubs all across India have already begun implementing the project with zeal .
Cancer is a silent killer . Thousands of families have been affected in every town and village .It is a disease which drags the hapless victim to the depths of physical and psychological pain . Drugs and chemotherapy offers little solace to most victims .They need the compassionate human touch . Ym.Thomas V John is believed to have the 'Good Samaritan ' of the Bible in his mind when he envisaged the Area Project .
Contrary to the projections and statistics presented by doomsday prophets ,the incidence of HIV/AIDS in India was much lower than expected .For instance ,if a town has a population of 30,000 ,the number of AIDS patients may not even be 1 % of the total population whereas the number of cancer patients into thousands .
The early identification of cancer helps in better therapy results .For this ,people need to be aware about the disease .The Y's Men Clubs can definitely create this awareness . Breast and prostrate cancer are two of the toppers which can be identified early .Lung and colon cancer cases are also rampant . Lung cancer and oral cancer can be prevented to a large extent by avoidance of smoking and chewing tobacco .
As for those who are already suffering from cancer , there are many areas we can work on . Most of the patients , especially those from the poorer backgrounds find the therapies too expensive . This is another area where the Y's Men can help .Pain and palliative clinics are being set up in different parts of the country .YMC Pinnakkanad of SWIR has already set up one such clinic .
The cancer victims face several problems including those of travel and proper nutrition . There are a host of problems faced by the care-givers and the dependents of the victims . They might be in need of information about care facilities . Home care is one area which is being given a thrust these days . Above all they need emotional support .
Let the 'Cancer Care' project be one that genuinely drives Y's Men of India Area into zealous action throughout the year .If we are able to put our hearts into it ,the image of the organization would receive a boost like never before .
Like Swami Vivekananda said 'Arise ,awake and stop not till the goal is reached' .
