A lot of cancer patients lost their battles against various forms of cancers due to late diagnosis. It is only handful who survives. Thus, the Bhutan Cancer Society (BCS) organised an event to show respect and celebrate the survivors and to raise hopes among those fighting cancer.
Ten cancer survivors and 15 others, who are fighting cancer from various parts of the country congregated at the event. The 69 year-old Lekimo came to the event from Trongsa.
She overcame gastric cancer- the most common cancer in Bhutan. She is one of the longest survivors since her removal of the cancer in 2003.
“It’s 15 years without medication now. I come here to the hospital for check-up every six months. When my doctor congratulate me on surviving this long, I tell him that I would have died a long time back had it not been for him,” said Lekimo, adding: I am following his diet advice to not consume solid foods and I carry my meal wherever I go”
Ran Maya Sunwar is another survivor of a breast cancer, who is also leading a healthy life. “I was referred to the national referral hospital from Wangdue. The doctors here told me its first stage cancer and that I’ll get better if I remove cancer. So I did and now I’m doing fine.”
And away from the event, Bidha at Shechen nunnery center in Sisina is another survivor who had had breast cancer. She conquered her fear of cancer taking her life.
“I asked if I would die after I was diagnosed with cancer because I heard a lot of people telling we will die if we are diagnosed with cancer. I was told it all depends on how we think and that if we remain strong nothing bad will happen,” added Bidha.
They are the few, who battled cancer and are freed of the stigma that cancer is a death sentence. Cancer survivors often face physical, emotional, social and financial challenges because of the diagnosis and treatment.
“In the community also there is high level of stigma that you are going to die if you are diagnosed with cancer. So we wanted to show that you can survive cancer, you can fight cancer, and we are there to support and provide love and care for cancer patients and caregivers,” said Dechen Wangmo, Executive Director of Bhutan Cancer Society.
The Bhutan Cancer Society organised Relay for Life to honor those who have been touched by cancer and prevented the disease from taking their lives. As part of the event, a team of supporters walked from Paro to Thimphu showing solidarity towards fight against cancer.
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