Cancer Support Group

Times of India
7 March, 2010
By Shreya Bhandary
Mumbai, India

Living Life Full Throttle, Spreading Awareness On Cancer
‘My daughter, my pride, ‘Women of substance, ‘Women! Without you, life stops, and many more such statements pasted on various cars on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on Sunday morning, over 1000 women rallied at the Bandra Reclamation Grounds to celebrate the joy of being who they are.

The Lavasa Women’s Drive 2010 was a treat for every spectator gathered to cheer the participants who drove close to 180 kms all the way from Mumbai to Lavasa, spreading awareness about various types of cancer inflicting women and also other causes.

“Spreading awareness about cancer among anyone is a cause I very strongly believe in and I will always do my best to spread as much awareness and love as I can,” said Akshay Kumar, flagged off the event with Housefull co–star Deepika Padukone.

Waiting at Lavasa to greet the participants was actor Dia Mirza who flew down to the venue in a helicopter. “Cancer, if detected early, is curable and women need to know their body better. It is a great sight to see women come out in such big numbers and fight for what is important to all of them,” she said.

“This isn’t about a competition, we are simply having fun and loving every moment of it and at the same time also spreading awareness about a killer disease amongst our gender,” said one of the participants.

With three to four women in every car, the barrage of participants and vehicles seemed endless. If these women thought the party ended with the rally at Lavasa, they were surprised to find a host of activities waiting for them at the arrival venue.

Alongwith lip–smacking food and golas welcoming the women at the entrance, volunteers were waiting for the participants to help them tie orange pagdis on their heads.

As a variety of activities kept the women engaged at Lavasa, the most awaited event was a live performance by the Band of Boys. Chintu Bhonsle along with his band members performed for over an hour on popular demand. “Even though it is something as serious as spreading awareness about cancer, it hardly shows. The carnival–like atmosphere here is perfect,” said Karan Oberoi.

While women were the star attractions of the day, adding to the splendour were celebrity appearances by Rahul Bose, Luke Kenny, Dino Morea, Raageshwari, Tisca Chopra, Ila and Ishita Arun and others. “Over the years the biggest conspiracy has been to suppress women. Now its up to to either treat them as a minority and celebrate just one day as Womens Day, or everyday as Humans Day,” said Rahul Bose.

Adhuna Akhtar, who was seen flagging off the race cars, said she had a very important reason to be there. “I am a mother of two girls, I had to be part of this event,” she said.

Also present to cheer the participants were senior vicepresident of Lavasa (marketing) Anuradha Paraskar, and the Times of India executive president Bhaskar Das, who said, “Women have a significant role to play in India’s economic and social development. A platform like this gives them the opportunity to emancipate themselves and others too.” Paraskar added, “All the women had a great time with the various funfilled events organised for them.”

The winners will be announced and felicitated in a ceremony on March 27.