As many as 200 patients suffering from blood cancer have benefited from the unique ‘Freedom from Cancer’ project launched by a cancer speciality hospital here, which has enabled them to live healthy and productive lives for over five years. Over 330 patients have been enrolled in the project since it was launched in 2015.
The treatment of adults is facilitated by philanthropists, charitable trusts and individual donors. Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital took up the project in August 2015 for making an effective intervention in the treatment of cancer patients who were unable to bear the expenses. They are at present getting free medicines, investigations and nursing facilities.
Hospital Director (Clinical Services) S. G. Kabra told The Hindu on Friday that patients suffering from Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) blood cancer, which affects the bone marrow and blood as a result of chromosomal mutation and abnormality, were selected as the beneficiaries. “With an expenditure of ₹2.28 crore so far, the project is more than a medical programme. It gives life, dignity and equality to the cancer patients,” Dr. Kabra said.
Patients from weaker sections were earlier facing the challenges of lifelong treatment, annual tests with recurring expenses and the risk of progression to advanced and untreatable stages on stopping the treatment. “Our success stories have proved that cancer can be defeated when treatment is accessible to all,” Dr. Kabra said.
