Battle goes on: Victors against child cancer meet those who still fight it

A get-together of survivors and patients was organised at AKU.

KARACHI:

Be strong and optimistic as nothing is impossible in this world, advised a ninth-grade student, Rida Fatima, who recently defeated Hodgkin lymphoma.

Attending a get-together for survivors and patients of child cancer organised at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKU) on Friday, Rida, said she was a bit nervous when she was initially diagnosed with the disease. "I am fresh now and will continue my studies," she said with a smile on her face. "The doctors of AKU are my inspiration and I plan to become a doctor one day."

The annual event was arranged to encourage children who still fight the disease and aimed to enable patients and families to create support groups among themselves.

Health experts say that child cancer is curable. However, early recognition and quick referral to a specialised centre is necessary for treatment. "The chance of success is 80 to 90 per cent now," informed paediatrician Prof Dr Abdul Ghaffar Billoo. Addressing the patients and their parents, Prof Billoo said that the hospital wants to support children with cancer in every possible manner.

Dr Zehra Fadoo, a favourite among the children attending the party, said there are about 500 children in the country with different kinds of cancer, adding that blood cancer is common among them. "Half of these patients belong to Sindh, including Karachi, and the rest of them are from other parts of the country," she told The Express Tribune. "Early diagnosis can save the life of a child and can also reduce the economic burden on the parents."

The children were just as fond of Dr Fadoo as she was of them. "Dr Zehra looks cute today," commented Alishba, a six-year-old girl with blood cancer, while she sat with her sister and brother.

"She is improving now and we hope that she will defeat the disease one day," commented Alishba's brother, who was keenly observing those who have been cured.

Relief and joy could be seen on the faces of the parents of the children who had won the fight. "My daughter is absolutely fine now," said one of the happiest fathers at the event, Abdul Wahid from the Sakro district of Thatta, whose daughter, 11-year-old Sajida, had a tumour that was treated successfully within just five months. "My father and doctors said I had an infection but I am okay now," said Sajida shyly.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2014.