Bargarh (Odisha)-In an extraordinary demonstration of community spirit and compassion, the town of Bargarh came together for “Samanubhuti”, a unique event dedicated to supporting families affected by childhood cancer. Organized by Umeedein, a Bhubaneswar-based organization working on childhood cancer care, with the support of Fighters Group Trust of Bargarh, the event highlighted how local communities can play a pivotal role in transforming the cancer journey from isolation to inclusion.
Hosted the event wasn’t just a one-day program—it was a movement of empathy, bringing together survivors, caregivers, doctors, educators, and social workers under one roof. It marked a meaningful step in shifting the narrative around pediatric cancer from despair to hope, from treatment to total rehabilitation.
While medical advances have drastically improved survival rates for pediatric cancers—with doctors reporting 80–90% recovery rates today—the emotional, social, and educational rehabilitation of affected families remains a collective responsibility. “Samanubhuti” served as a community-based model showing how grassroots involvement, educational empowerment, and compassionate dialogue can create lasting change in the lives of these children and their families.
Representatives from the healthcare, education, and social development sectors led interactive sessions, addressing practical challenges faced by families during and after cancer treatment. These included managing mental health, nutrition, educational reintegration, and career planning—issues that often fall outside the clinical spectrum but deeply impact survivors’ quality of life.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ashish Satpathy, a senior pediatrician from Krishna Vikas Multispecialty Hospital, emphasized the importance of long-term care after successful treatment. “Childhood cancer is no longer a death sentence. However, returning to normal life requires structured follow-up, nutritious diet, mental stability, and strong family support,” he said.
He reminded the audience that physical recovery alone is not enough. “Families must also focus on emotional healing and creating a stress-free environment that supports the child’s reintegration into daily life.”
Dr. Satpathy underlined that malnutrition, unhygienic living conditions, and psychological neglect are often the reasons behind relapses, not just the disease itself. His practical suggestions included creating home-based wellness routines and tapping into local healthcare resources for regular check-ups.
Recognizing that post-treatment education is a sensitive and often neglected issue, Mr. Deepak Goyal, Director of Imperial College, Bargarh, offered insights into the educational rehabilitation of child cancer survivors.
“Many parents unconsciously brand their child as ‘sick’ or ‘special,’ and in doing so, lower their self-esteem. Education should restore confidence, not remind them of their trauma,” he remarked.
Mr. Goyal advocated for career counseling, life-skills training, and inclusive schooling as essential tools in helping survivors reclaim agency over their future. His address underscored that school systems and local institutions need to evolve to meet the psychological needs of these children.
Echoing the same, Mr. Nageswar Rao, Chairman of Lakshmi Vikas Group of Institutions, added that societal acceptance and mentorship are as crucial as medical interventions.
“Doctors can heal the body, but only society can heal the soul. Let’s not isolate these children after they survive cancer—let’s mentor them, employ them, and celebrate them,” he urged.
At the heart of “Samanubhuti” was the belief that healing is not a solitary journey. Mrs. Minati Pati, Vice President of Fighters Group, reflected on her extensive community work with cancer families.
“Medical costs are heavy, but emotional isolation is heavier. Families often crumble under social stigma, misinformation, and fear. That’s where a community like Bargarh must step in,” she said.
Mrs. Pati shared expert insights from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, quoting Dr. Sonali Mohapatra, Head of Pediatric Hematology, who observed that over the past five decades, childhood cancer survival has improved drastically due to early detection and better care. “Today, 75–80% of childhood cancer patients fully recover and live fulfilling lives. The focus now must expand to long-term support systems, education, and public awareness,” she noted.
Providing a deeply empathetic perspective, Mr. Jaswir Singh, Chairman of AEM English Medium School, focused on family attitudes toward children post-recovery.
“It’s wrong to compare a child who has battled cancer with others. These children are warriors. Their courage should be their identity—not their illness,” he said. He encouraged families to celebrate small milestones and offer their children roles and responsibilities that reaffirm their worth and potential.
Mr. Singh also proposed forming support clubs in schools for child survivors, where they can share their journey, mentor others, and become ambassadors for strength.
What made “Samanubhuti” uniquely moving was the active participation of childhood cancer survivors themselves. Through performances, storytelling, and art, they shared their resilience in ways that transcended statistics and touched the heart.
These children danced, sang, painted, and laughed—each act not just an expression of joy, but a declaration of victory over pain, fear, and adversity.
The audience, filled with community members, educators, healthcare workers, and parents, responded with standing ovations and silent tears—a shared moment of connection that captured the spirit of the event.
The event was anchored with vision and compassion by Umeedein’s founder, Mr. Nitaigour Panigrahi, who facilitated discussions and encouraged open dialogue between families and professionals. Mr. Bikash Pradhan, representing Umeedein, warmly welcomed participants and reaffirmed the group’s commitment to grassroots childhood cancer advocacy.
On behalf of Fighters Group Trust, Mr. Aswini Kumar Darjee, a cancer survivor himself and a longtime advocate for cancer awareness in Western Odisha, delivered the vote of thanks. “This event was not just about awareness—it was about building an ecosystem where no family fights cancer alone. It’s a call for collective compassion,” he said.
“Samanubhuti” proved that the journey of healing doesn’t end at the hospital gates. It is sustained in the love of a teacher, the concern of a neighbor, the guidance of a mentor, and the shared strength of a community that refuses to let its children feel alone.
With survival rates rising, the onus now lies on civil society, schools, panchayats, and health systems to collaborate beyond boundaries. From workshops in classrooms to counseling at anganwadis, from training frontline volunteers to integrating survivors into mainstream schooling—every effort counts.
As “Samanubhuti” illuminated in Bargarh, when a community rises with empathy, healing becomes a shared legacy. And in that legacy, lies the true cure—not just of cancer, but of the silence that often surrounds it.
