Strides Against Cancer

In the run-up to World Cancer Day, being celebrated today, the 13th 'Walk for Life—Stride Against Cancer’ was held on Sunday, 2 February 2020 on Rajpath in the heart of New Delhi. The annual walkathon was organized by CanSupport to raise awareness about cancer in India and to show solidarity with those who battled with the disease, survivors and their caregivers. The walk of approximately three kilometres saw thousands of enthusiastic participants. Gursharan Kaur, the wife of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, flagged off the walk.

CanSupport, the organizer of the event provides free palliative and supportive care services to cancer patients. The walk is organized every year to draw the attention of the public to the growing prevalence of cancer and to show support to cancer patients, "destigmatize the disease, honour those lost to it, and raise much-needed funds" for CanSupport’s free-of-charge home care services to people with cancer.

“The growing numbers, young and old, from various sections of society who participate in CanSupport’s annual Walk for Life is a testimony to the alarming presence of cancer in our lives,” said Harmala Gupta, founder-president CanSupport.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. An estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018 was due to cancer. Approximately 70 per cent of the deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries. WHO reports that lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancers are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancers are most common among women.

The WHO says that around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to the five leading behavioural and dietary risks: high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use.

The non-profit CanSupport has been at the forefront of awareness building in India and this year too it mobilized widespread participation at the event—around 30 corporate organizations and 50 schools and colleges were present. A bikers group, “Iron Men and Red Fort Harley Davidson” that participated rode with cancer survivors to show their support.

The walkers were entertained to foot-tapping renditions by the bands of Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) present at the venue.