KOCHI: It was a day of sheer joy and happiness for around 100 cancer-stricken children who gathered at the Lions Club auditorium on Sunday. The get-together was part of an annual event ‘Kalikootam’, organised by the Cochin Cancer Society and Welcare Hospital.Most of the children here were diagnosed with cancer at very early years of their lives. And amidst the noise and the fun, a few of the families sat down with ‘City Express’ to share their joys and sorrows. Beevi Rasheed, who was present at the gathering, said her niece was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was 14. “We didn’t realise this until she complained of a severe pain on her leg after a fall. We knew that her pain was unbearable. Worse, at that time her father had passed away. But her inner strength gave us the courage and she received a speedy recovery,” she saidSome said they had just come over after their children had undergone a chemotherapy, while many shared their hopes and joys as their children were on the route to recovery. But the story of Arivindh, from Muvattapuzha was what moved the most. “My son was already down with another disease when he started experiencing fever and acute vomiting. When we approached a private hospital here, they said he has been affected with cancer. We were shattered, when they told us that he needs three chemotherapys in the initial phase. But the other day, when the doctor’s tested him again, they said his body was back to normal,” said Sophy, mother of Arivind. Some said that battling cancer proved a bit more difficult for families whose children are affected at a very young age. Four-year-old Abhi’s mother said that her son was only two when the doctors diagnosed him with leukemia. Oncologist V P Gangadharan and actor Reema Kallingal were present on the occasion.
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