Punjab Governor and Administrator UT Chandigarh, VP Singh Badnore on Monday flagged off Childhood Cancer Awareness Rally from Punjab Raj Bhawan here.
The Awareness Rally, organised by Cankids, a national organisation together with Chandigarh Motor Sports Association, will drive over 1300 kms through 15 districts of Punjab over a period of 5 days. The main aim of the Rally is to generate mass awareness about Childhood Cancer and to ensure best treatment care and support for all children detected with childhood cancer in the state of Punjab.
The rally, comprised of 19 rally cars with 59 participants including 14 childhood cancer survivors, 6 parents, 4 adult cancer survivors, and many other rally enthusiasts from different walks of life.
Badnore said, “This movement is close to my heart and I wholeheartedly support the cause and hope that something special can be done in making public aware of cancer prevalent in Children,”
Appreciating the efforts of the Cankids Organisation, the Governor said that this type of massive awakening done by the organisers will be a great help to the state as the message spread by them is going to the people where it is required.
He also informed that modalities are being worked out to set up an advanced Cancer institute exclusively for the children suffering from this disease in Chandigarh. The Punjab government was also contemplating of providing paediatric oncology and tertiary health services to each and every child of the state suffering from cancer, he added.
“Rally participants will also distribute specially created childhood cancer awareness material in towns and villages as they drive through. They would be going all over Punjab to sensitise people and focus on childhood cancers, create awareness and initiate a dialogue among stakeholders to ensure best treatment, care and support to kids in Punjab,” said Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman Cankids and herself a Cancer survivor.