I Am Back...With An Appeal!

It is one of those things which we think will never happen to us....or to our near and dear ones.  

In the beginning of 2012, that myth for me was broken.  My father was diagnosed with small-cell lung carcinoma.  After the initial despondency, the family rallied around and did all that was required to fight it.  After intensive treatment over the next 6 months, all traces of the cancer were destroyed.

But, the treatment of this disease takes its toll.  It takes a toll on the quality of life that one leads.  It slows the body down and has innumerable side-effects, including short term memory loss and impacting other sensory functions such as hearing.

During the course of my father's treatment, I visited the Oncology departments of innumerable hospitals.  To my utter shock and bewilderment, each of these places was choc-a-bloc with patients, of all ages and across all social strata.  I had never imagined that the disease was so widely prevalent.  Speaking to doctors and health-care workers, it became evident that it is a disease which has been afflicting more and more people over the last few years.  This is putting a severe strain on the infrastructure that exists today to treat it.

I have also in the last couple of years spent some time with various NGOs working with the Tata Memorial Hospital, the premier cancer cure hospital in the country, who are active in helping the patients cope with the disease.

The Indian Cancer Society is one of the oldest NGOs working on cancer care in India.  Its activities are focused on creating an awareness about the disease, enabling early detection and helping with the rehabilitation of survivors. Having personally seen the impact of this disease on the patients', as well as their near and dear ones' lives, I have decided to do my bit to contribute to the cause.

I will be running the half marathon at the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2014, on January 19, 2014, to raise money to support the activities of the Indian Cancer Society.

I appeal to you to join me in my endeavor by donating to this worthy cause. Your donation truly means so much to me and the Indian Cancer Society. Anything that you can manage would be absolutely amazing. Every single rupee donated is very much appreciated. You can make your donations at: 

http://www.unitedwaymumbai.org/2528-sureshiyer.htm

Please dig deep and donate generously.  

Take care & stay healthy!

Day 22-2012 : A Hectic Start...

What a hectic start to the new year!  It is all happening, leaving me with little time to organise my thoughts in the form of a blog post.  Anyways, I am here now, so, here we go.  

We are already in the last week of the first month of the year!  For me, the year started with the drive back from Ahmedabad to Mumbai on New Year Day.  I completed the 550 kilometres long drive in 8 hours, with two stops, one for breakfast and one for lunch.  The road infrastructure which has been built on this stretch is wonderful, to say the least.  Especially, once you get into Gujarat, it seems like you are in a completely different country!  Maharashtra still has a lot of catching up to do.  I thoroughly enjoyed the drive to Ahmedabad and back.

After the refreshing week long break in Ahmedabad, it was time to get back to work at full throttle.  It is the time of the year when reviews of all kinds happen and one gets sucked into the whirlwind.  At home, the in-laws visited us.  The school breaks were getting over as well, hence getting the kids fully kitted for another term became a priority. 

And then, of course, the unpredictable happened!  I got an opportunity to take part in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.  I had actually applied for taking part in the marathon, but did not get the opportunity.  But I really wanted to run.  I had in fact started training for it as well very seriously.  However, once I did not get through, I relaxed my routine.  But as they say, if you want something really bad, the whole world conspires to give it to you!  On January 13th, a day before the D-Day, the opportunity arrived, in the form of someone who was registered but could not go.  I was happy to do the honours!  And that is how I became part of the 6 km Dream Run on January 15th.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being part of the event.  It was certainly worth it, though after the 45 minute run, the soles and ankles of my feet were complaining.  The half marathon next year?  Maybe...!  I must confess that I am tempted, though it will require a lot of training.  One thing is for sure, I am determined to run again in the annual event.

The next week is going to be very busy with various engagements at work as well, following which I fly to London over the weekend.  I fully expect the week in London to be hectic.  So a lot of activity overall in the first month of the year. Add to it, the cricket nets, shopping trips, team-building events and friends and relatives visiting over the weekends; and the month has just whizzed past me.  If January is anything to go by, I think this year is going to be action-packed.

I say, bring it on! 

Take care!