Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Rohit Memorial Trust launched

VISAKHAPATNAM: Former Mayor D.V. Subba Rao lauded the efforts of G. Anantram and his wife Meenakshi Anantram for launching the Rohit Memorial Trust in memory of their son Rohit Anant Ganapati, who had succumbed to cancer in March last year.

At a meeting organised to announce the launch of the trust, which was formed to provide moral support to cancer patients and their family members, he said that it was a noble idea on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Anantram to think of alleviating the pain of others while trying to overcome their personal grief. Mr. Subba Rao recounted the harrowing time that some well-known couples from the city had gone through as their young sons battled cancer. There was nothing they could do though they had all the money at their disposal.

He hoped that the undaunted spirit of Rohit’s parents to carry on a crusade against the disease would give succour to other suffering persons.

Director of Clinical Pharmacology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Centre, USA, Ram Ganapathi underlined the need for early detection of cancer. It was seen that cancer runs in families, and hence regular check-ups were necessary to rule out the disease among members of such families. He, however, said that most cancers were sporadic and they strike without warning.

Dr. Ram Ganapathi advocated education of young persons from falling a prey to vices like smoking and alcohol. He underlined the role of support groups in this regard. He said that good drugs and treatment were available for treatment of cancer.

Medical Director of A.S. Raja Voluntary Blood Bank A. Sugandhi said that most cancers could be cured, if detected early. She recalled that Rohit was a regular blood donor and had also mobilised his friends and his brother to donate blood. She said it was unfortunate that the demand-supply deficit of blood was rising in India though it has a vast population of young people. Visakhapatnam requires 500 units of blood a month as it caters to the requirements of people from five districts who come to the city for medical treatment.

Mr. Anantram said the trust would conduct a series of blood donation camps in colleges and corporate houses in association with the A.S. Raja Voluntary Blood Bank. The blood would be stored separately at the bank for use of cancer patients.

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