The gallant flame of a little candle

The gallant flame of a little candle

Listen to me. Can you see me? Can you hear me? Perhaps not because being a human you hear to what you see and reply to what you hear. Unlike humans I don’t have a definite shape, size or structure. Sometimes I am straight, sometimes round and sometimes too small to get counted. Even when I cry my voice is inaudible because you are to ignorant to hear anything other than noise. My world is a world of silence and my silence speaks a thousand words. I am a little candle.

When was the last time we both were together? Maybe two days ago on your birthday. I was there with you along with your friends in your joy among all the glittering lights of your world and still there was a need to light me up on your birthday cake. Why? To remind that you are getting old.

I saw you whispering a wish, heard you pleading to God to grant you the man of your dream and what was the last part of the wish that you will change to keep him happy. A breath of air and my gallant flame was gone. I wish you had guarded my flame, not only on the cake but within your heart too.

You were too small to remember, to realize that almighty has lighted a candle in your heart by the time you were born. Courage, strength, peace and wisdom are the key elements of that candle. As you grew the whispering in your heart increased the little candle that lightened your soul became weak. Now it flickers even with a breeze of sorrow. You are weak as you never guarded you thoughts.

The purpose of a candle’s life is to provide a ray of hope, to keep darkness away from ones path, to provide warmth. Then why don’t humans fulfill the purpose of their life.  Whenever you see a flickering flame guard it. Let no storm or even a breath of air blow its gallant flame. The little candle will walk with you guiding you, guarding you always reminding you who you are. One day the world will be lightened with numerous candles. The candle of hope, peace and humanity.

Can-survive from cancer.

                                                          Can-survive from cancer.

                                                                                                                                -Bidisha Biswas.

Friends it is said that cancer affects all of us, whether you are a daughter, mother, sister, friend, co-worker, patient or doctor but the question is how true is it? Well there is no denying in accepting the fact that it does affects one’s life. Normal life of a person gets disrupted when one comes to know that he/she is suffering from cancer. People are so scared of cancer that they forget to notice. The word Cancer has a can in it, which says:

• ·         Can defeat this disease.

• ·         Can prevent from being a cancer patient.

• ·         Can detect cancer at an early stage

And most important

• ·         Can-survive by battling against cancer.

  

   

Cancer is a highly misunderstood term. Most of us think cancer means death, cancer means losing loved ones and cancer means no cure. To debunk these myths World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4^th of February and it helps in raising awareness about cancer, it units the whole world in fight against cancer. On 4^th February 2015 world cancer day was celebrated under the tagline “Not beyond Us”.  Choosing to lead a healthy life, early detection, proper treatment are the positive and proactive approaches to the fight against cancer.

The most common question that oncologist face from cancer patients are “Am I going to die?” or “will I have a normal life after chemotherapy?” Well off course one can lead a normal life even after being treated with chemotherapy and as doctors they try their best to save every patient but people are so scared that they doubt their own capability to fight against this disease.

One should keep in mind ( specially the caregivers) that when you are dealing with a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy it’s  your love, support, caring nature and kindness that helps to keep them strong and encourages them to continue their fight against cancer. There are over one hundred different types of cancer which can affect different parts of our body. Some cancers can be cured whereas some cannot but that does not means cancer is a death sentence. If there is cancer then there are cancer survivors too and their successful fight with cancer and recovery shows their spirit to lead a healthy, normal and cancer free life.

Speaking of cancer survivors, cricketer Yuvraj Singh is one of those who not only fought bravely with this disease but is even motivating, inspiring and helping others to bat against this dreadful disease. His cancer initiative YOUWECAN was founded on 8^th July 2012 and since then YouWeCan has worked on its solo motive to spread as much as awareness about cancer.

 Among the various works YOUWECAN has done the first was in September 2012 when it in collaboration with Microsoft launched YOUWECAN app. Another major contribution was in states like Punjab where they have launched door to door cancer detection programs in areas like Firozpur and Bhatinda.

Almost two thirds of all cancer deaths are either caused due to lack of medical support or people being in denial. In India the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men are lungs, oral, lip, throat and neck  whereas women suffer more from breast , cervix and ovarian cancer. The rising toll caused by this disease is due to unhealthy eating habits, poor immune condition, genetic and rapid industrialization.

YOUWECAN with its future ventures is taking more and more initiatives to create awareness among those who live in utter denial. We wish Yuvraj Singh and YOUWECAN all the best.