'Spirit to Survive' - A sporting event for the cancer survivors in Bangladesh

PRESS RELEASE

'Spirit to Survive'
A sporting event for the cancer survivors

According to the experts, about more than 1 million of people are living with cancers in Bangladesh. However, many of those patients are living an active healthy life due to major advances in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment that resulted in a longer survival.

In order to highlight this story and glory of the cancer survivorship to the newly diagnosed patients and their friends and families, sanofi-aventis Bangladesh in collaboration with National Sports Council has decided to organize a sporting event for the cancer survivors in 26 November 2008 titled 'Spirit to Survive' – a sporting event for cancer survivors.

Shirin Akhtar, a young lady was present in the press conference to share her experiences of 10 years after successful cancers treatment. She said 'It was a great challenge for me to defeat cancer. Encouragement from my family and friends and continue support from the doctors helped me a lot to win this fight against cancer'. I am going to take this challenge to relay 'The Flame of Hope' because I want all the cancer survivors in the country to join in this sporting event and be enlightened with the light of 'The Flame of Hope'.

Renowned Oncologist Professor M A Hai said, mental strength, courage, happiness help cancer survivors to fight against cancer. In case of Shirin Akhtar it was the combination of all three to take such an adventurous steps to relay this 'The Flame of Hope'

In the welcome address Dr Rezaul Farid Khan, Director Medical Affairs said in many cases, cancer can be cured if detected earlier and treated properly. This type of sporting activities will definitely minimize physical and mental stress related to their disease and treatment as well as the social stigma related to cancer.

Muhammad Akbar Husain, Secretary, National Sports Council assured all type of support from their side to arrange the Spirit to Survive - the sporting event for the cancer survivors in his speech.

Col M Wali Ullah (Retd), Director & C E O, Bangladesh Olympic Association appreciated this joint effort by sanofi-aventis and National Sports Council to arrange such an event.

Acting Director of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Professor S M Anisur Rahman thanked both the sanofi-aventis and National Sports Council for their noble initiatives.

Interested cancer survivors are requested to enroll their name to participate in the sporting event which is to be held on 26 November at Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex at the following phone nos.

Dr M Ashaduzzaman, Mob: 01711 600652
Dr Mesba Faruqui, Mob: 01711 635448



The agenda of the program is as follows:

The Sprit to Survive
A sporting event for Cancer Survivors
Program: Time Date
Relay of ‘The Flame of Hope’ - 12.11.08
Opening: Ignition of ‘The Flame of Hope’ - 7:30-9:30 am 14.11.08
A sporting event for Cancer Survivors - The Sprit to Survive - 9:30 am 26.11.2008
Prize giving ceremony - 6:00 pm 28.11.2008


Relay of ‘The Flame of Hope’
Route:
Teknaf- Chittagong –Dhaka: 12.11.2008
Press conference at Chittagong press club on 13.11.2008 at 11:30 am
Tetulia- Rajshahi- Dhaka: 12.11.2008
Press conference at Aristocrat Restaurant, Rajshahi on 13.11.2008 at 11:30 am

2 cancer survivors will relay the torch ‘The Flame of Hope’ to Dhaka and join the Olympic Day Run 2008 on 14 November at 7:30, starting from Shahbag to Banganbandhu National Stadium (BNS)

Ignition of ‘The Flame of Hope’
Venue: Bangabandhu National Stadium and formal announcement of the game by a cancer survivor at BNS on November 14, 2008

Sporting Events: The Sprit to Survive at Women complex on 26.11.2008 at 9:30 am
• Athletics
• Shooting
• Archery
• Swimming
• Paddle boat race

Closing: Prize giving ceremony
Venue: Radisson Water Garden Hotel at 6:00 pm