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| Image Courtesy: Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pexels |
Every year, September 22nd is celebrated as the World Rose Day to bring a ray of hope and happiness into the lives of people fighting cancer. Rose, a symbol of love and concern, is offered to the patients diagnosed with cancer to give them strength and remind them that they are not alone in this battle.
Cancer treatments take quite a toll on the physical and mental health of those who are battling against it. Starting from dealing with the endless physical changes to going through the mental trauma the disease brings with itself, it can change the lives of the sufferer forever.
According to Dr. Ganapathi Bhat, Consultant Medical Oncologist and stem cell Transplant Physician at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre,
“The financial costs that are associated with the treatment of cancer is overwhelming. The illness can itself cause weight loss, lack of appetite, or other problems associated with eating. Cancer often also affects your self-image and self-esteem. Possible changes in physical appearances and depleted health can be frightening. Having cancer will undermine your mental and physical wellbeing”.
Why is it celebrated?
World Rose Day is celebrated in memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose from Canada who was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer and even when the doctors had said that she only has few weeks to live, she did not give up hope.
She made each day of her life meaningful and went on to live for six months. In the last six months, she brought joy and touched the lives of other cancer-affected patients around her. She shared poems, letters, and emails with other cancer patients to bring happiness in their lives up to the last minute. On this day we commemorate Melinda for her kindness, optimism and celebrate her unquenchable human spirit.
How is it celebrated?
Spreading awareness on the importance of being cautious about cancer is a key practice on 22nd September. With the help of awareness campaigns, we can educate people about what can cause cancer and ways to prevent it. We can show our support to cancer patients by offering them roses with a message to show our love and concern as well.
Author
Swagata Chakraborty
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