Eight cancer survivors, aged 24 to 71, along with oncologists and nurses complete a four-day trekking expedition to Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand, to mark World Cancer Survivors Day
Eight cancer survivors, aged 24 to 71, along with oncologists and nurses complete a four-day trekking expedition to Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand, to mark World Cancer Survivors Day
Three years ago, Swastika Acharya was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer while she was studying law. At the Rathal base camp in Uttarakhand, a 24-year-old lawyer has managed to complete Dayara Bugyal’s four-day visit.
“I want my actions to speak louder than words. Cancer is not the end of life; there is life beyond cancer. I did it!” she says. Now in remission, she is one of the eight cancer survivors who achieved a height of 11,830 feet for the “Peak to Peak – Winning Over Cancer” campaign organized by Apollo Cancer Centers in partnership with IndiaHikes.
While some members of the group completed their treatment last year, others completed it a few years back. This group, aged 24 to 71, was accompanied by two senior oncologists, two nurses, a communications team, photographer and videographer. Apollo’s team of oncologists selected the participants, who were moderately fit, from across the country
When 62-year-old Amitabh Dutt, a finance consultant from Kolkata, decided to bring his wife along for support. “After completing treatment last year, I hadn’t passed out for months,” he says. “His spirit never waned and he says, “Even when I had to go for radiation, I traveled 25 kilometers to the hospital in the car,” he declares, though the trek faced the challenges, he said he was happy that he was able to reach the summit on time.
Victory march to the summit
“When we completed the five kilometer trek on the first day, I wondered if we had made a mistake in bringing in cancer survivors as I found the trek a bit difficult, and developed altitude sickness too,” said Sherin Nirmala Marie, ( 23) A nurse says at Apollo Proton, Chennai. “But I was impressed by how they all supported each other, united in their goal and how, despite the difficulty, they rose to the summit.”
Among those who impressed her was 50-year-old Archana Hosangadi, who battled breast cancer in 2019. A banker from Bangalore, she was devastated when she was diagnosed. “I was least worried about losing my dark, shiny hair, but eight cycles of chemotherapy completely kicked me out of gear. I was high on fitness and used to be a table tennis player, yet again.” Cancer got hold of me,” she says, adding that although the trek was tough, it was a memorable experience. “I took it as a challenge to prove to myself that I could do it,” she adds ..
Apollo Cancer Center team on the second day of the trekking expedition. , photo credit: special arrangement
Dr Rani Bhat, Gynecologist and Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru says that the participants showed extraordinary courage. “Cancer is curable only when detected early, and today due to increasing awareness and advanced treatments, we have a good number of people who have overcome this disease. That is why the need of the hour is providing them support. . ”
among the golden oaks
Trekkers enjoy eating wild Himalayan strawberries while passing rhododendrons, golden oaks and walnut and apple trees. Priyanka Shukla, 40, from Chhattisgarh underwent treatment for early stage breast cancer in 2016. He trekked with two power banks so that his phone would not charge. “I am addicted to Tik Tok and post few videos daily.”
Trekkers crossing Gui village at Dayara Bugyal
Diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer in 2016, Priyanka says she and her husband are now working towards spreading the message of cancer awareness. “This trek is important to me because I can tell women I’ve met long ago that all is well with me.”
on the other side of the mountain
Shalini S (name changed) a 35-year-old IT employee from Mysore was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2021, a few months after her engagement. “I broke my engagement, and underwent treatment for three months (surgery and radiation). After the treatment, I used to run three to five kilometers daily and that gave me the confidence to trek,” she says.
Sushruta Karpe, 32, who works as a design head in an IT company in Pune, says he focuses on spreading a positive message. He was 26 when he was told he was in the second stage of colon cancer. “Even while undergoing chemotherapy, I would walk around the ward and talk to other patients, making them all laugh out loud. I just had to put my life on hold for a while until the treatment was over, and then get back to my normal routine. This trek further gives a positive message that cancer is not the end of life, but a beautiful life beyond it.”
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mental power
According to Sweta Uday, Senior Manager, Apollo Cancer Centres, Bangalore, she has seen many patients recover from cancer because of their mental strength, and the same applies to trekking. “We chose Dayara Bugyal because it was meant for beginners, had easy and moderate ranges, and most importantly, the trekking route had easy exit points in case of any emergency. We also had an ambulance stationed at the base camp.” “The pinnacle of victory over cancer was a celebration for the survivors, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, support for families and an outreach to the community,” says Dinesh Madhavan, president, Apollo Cancer Centers.
Priyanka Shukla at Dayara Bugyal’s camping site. photo credit: special arrangement
Trek leader Deepak Danu, who led the team along with four others, says the courage, endurance and confidence displayed by all the cancer winners was amazing. “This team is a classic example of how to prove that it is mental strength, more than physical ability, that is crucial for trekking in such mountainous terrain. In fact it was the brain power of all that helped him reach the summit on the third day,” he says.
To keep the excitement going, India Hikes has introduced a range of pasta to . Have prepared an interesting menu till sweet dishFruit Custard and Pineapple molasses At an altitude of 10,000 m.
Trekkers to the summit, 11,830 m altitude. , photo credit: special arrangement
While Sherin is proud of all her allegations, she says, “I was especially in awe of 71-year-old Kunal Kumar Das, who was treated for kidney cancer in 1995, who went on to sing songs and jokes at the forefront. It was indeed a tremendous achievement.”