Vasantha Memorial Trust, a trusted name in the field of cancer care and cure conducted a Drawing Competition for school children on the occasion of World Cancer Day on Saturday, 4th February 2022. About 90 children from schools in and around Powai participated in the event.
Vasantha MemorialTrust, incorporated in 1993 and operating from Chennai and Mumbai, with the mission “to make cancer never” has been raising awareness of cancer for the last 28 years. Cancer is curable if detected early and awareness is the key to early detection. Awareness is not only about knowing the early signs and symptoms of cancer but also about leading a healthy style of living which can make cancer never. As we know, old habits die hard; hence good habits should be inculcated in children very early in life. Children should be aware of healthy eating, personal and environmental hygiene and also of the harmful effects of tobacco or other addictive habits which can affect their careers and life.
It is with the above-stated objective, the Trust has been running “Cancer Free Tomorrow” campaigns in schools throughout the city and also conducting inter-school painting competitions. This year, the competition was held at Kailas Industrial Complex, Vikroli–Powai Link Road, adjacent to the cancer centre and Rehabilitation Unit of the Trust. Their creativity and imagination were on full display – some paintings showed the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco, good dietary habits, the junk foods to be avoided, the effects of personal and environmental hygiene on health and much more. It was amazing to note the high awareness levels in the present generation of children from primary to secondary levels, irrespective of their economic or social background.
The paintings were judged by Ms Bhagyashree and Prashant Patil and there were 3 top prizes and two consolation prizes under each category. The winners were also issued merit certificates. All the participating students were provided art kits along with biscuits, snacks and juice tetra-packs. On the sidelines of the competition, the mothers who accompanied the children were given an awareness talk on cancers in women.
The event was held this year after a gap of two years when schools went online, it was a wonderful sight to see several children sitting together and intent on their tasks. The Trust aims to cover many more schools in the neighborhoods in the coming academic years
