World No Tobacco Day

HCG's Walkathon and Street Play to stub out tobacco

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2009, HCG, South Asia's largest cancer care network, has planned an anti tobacco awareness programme through Walkathon and Street Play on May 31, 2009. The awareness programme assumes importance as tobacco has become the leading preventable cause of death globally and second hand tobacco smoke emerging a major threat not only to adults but more so to children. HCG is running this anti tobacco campaign jointly with Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar and Rotary Bangalore City centre.
The walkathon would be flagged off by Karnataka Minister for Medical Education, Mr. Ramachandra Gowda at 9.00 am from Curie Centre of Oncology, Koramangala (St. John's Medical College Hospital Campus). The walkathon after winding its way for about 6 kms would finally terminate at the famed Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The street play has been organized at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden around 11.30 am. Well known personalities including Ashish Ballal, international Hockey player, Ms.Sujatha of Udaya TV, who would be the anchor, Ms.Choodamani-social worker, Mr. Sunil Agarwal-IPS, Mr. Sunil Somasundar-cricketer etc have confirmed participation in the walkathon.
With  more than 90 Indians dying every hour due to tobacco usage Our country having the highest incidence of oral cancer in the world, it is time all concerned take steps to create awareness among the masses. Tobacco led deaths due to lung cancer, heart disease & other illness currently is estimated at 5.40 million people annually and if left unchecked is estimated to increase to more than 8 million by 2030. Against this background, HCG and Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar are keen to spread the message that No Tobacco environment is the only way to protect ourselves from the lethal ill effects of tobacco be it smoking or chewing.
Commenting on these initiatives, Dr. B S Ajai Kumar, Chairman and CEO, HCG, said "Tobacco use is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of deaths in the world. As part of our corporate social responsibility we are keen to spread the No Tobacco message and also educate masses on the harmful effects of tobacco usage like incidence of cancer not only in lungs but also head & neck, urinary bladder & kidneys, uterine cervix, breast, pancreas and colon".
 "The tobacco menace has the potency to trigger a greater catastrophe in the years to come as its damage to health becomes evident only after years / decades of consumption. While tobacco use is rising, the epidemic of tobacco related disease and death is yet to reach its peak. In this context wide spread awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco on a sustainable basis is the need of the hour", he added.   
Rtn.Ashok Maheshwari President Rotary Jayanagar and Rtn. Dr.Ramesh.S.Bilimaga President Rotary City centre have jointly said, "We want to make No Tobacco campaign a people's movement to bring effective visible results and feel walkathon & street plays could be the ideal impactful initiatives to achieve this cause. According to New England journal of medicine "smoking kills 900,000 people every year India and Our country is also third largest producer of Tobacco in world. Smoking may soon account for 20 % male death and 5% of female deaths among Indians between age group of 30- 69 years"  We all have to take severe measures to save next generation from this deadly habit. Come join us in this mass movement.
About HCG:         
HCG, South Asia's largest cancer care network, currently owns & manages a network of 16 state-of-the-art cancer treatment centres across India.  HCG focuses on the entire value chain in cancer care from diagnostics to high-end imaging services to cutting-edge research and clinical trials. It has a vision to provide high quality, affordable and comprehensive cancer care to all segments of the society. Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO), the flagship unit of HCG, was set up in 1989 by a team of eminent oncologists. Dr. B S Ajai Kumar the Chairman who relocated from the US dedicated the first comprehensive cancer centre in the private space. Visit www.hcgoncology.com  for more details.

About Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar:
Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar part of Rotary International world' largest service organization is serving humanity through various means and avenues for more than three decades. Supporting under privileged people, solving issues of health, hunger, education and environment through various projects in Bangalore.
Rtn. Ashok Maheshwari  President Rotary Jayanagar 9880963445
Mr. Umesh S Manager Marketing  HCG                     9611803038