The Vattikuti Foundation's Indian Initiative in collaboration with Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore organised a Walkathon/Awareness campaign on the eve of 'World Cancer Day' on February 4, 2018 at Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagara District, Karnataka. More than 1000 ASHA/Aanganwadi workers, school and college students, volunteers from Davinta and Altimetrik along with the general population participated in the Walkathon.
The Walkathon was flagged off by Honorable MP, Kanakapura, Sh. DK Suresh from Rural College grounds, in presence of Member of Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ravi, Dr. Lingegowda, Director, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Taluk officials, Farmers’ representative and Taluk level government officials and the Vattikuti Foundation’s Indian representative, Vikas Katoch. The event was a big success and was organised under the guidance and leadership of Air Marshal (Retd.) Joseph Neri, Director, Vattikuti Foundation (in India), without whose support, this would not have been possible. The walkathon was for 3 kilometers and was completed in one and half hour. It was locally called ‘Jatra’, coupled with local traditional dancers and musicians, along with children on bicycles with placards and banners with cancer prevention and awareness messages. Kanakapura has been chosen by Kidwai Hospital and Karnataka government to be one of the first Taluks of Karnataka to be made cancer free. After the walkathon, a full day’s programme was conducted for farmers on the importance of organic farming and cancer prevention. Local farmers, experts and professionals participated.
This event will be on the sidelines of a full day’s programme with various stalls on information/awareness about cancer prevention/promotion & treatment.
