Actors and artists join hands to spread awareness about breast cancer

A lot has been said and done about breast cancer awareness in the past. However, when a survivor speaks out about her battle with the disease, it makes a huge difference.

Art dealer Tarana Khubchandani fought against the disease and survived the battle. Now, she is going all out to spread awareness about it and also collect funds for treatment of cancer-affected patients through an NGO. Supporting her in this cause are Salman Khan, actor Shatrugan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi, former beauty queen Diana Hayden, Suniel Shetty and his wife Mana and renowned artists like Akbar Padamsee, SH Raza, Ram Kumar and Paritosh Sen along with businesswoman Rajashree Birla.

Tarana says, “We have organised an art exhibition where works of the artists will be up for sale. The proceeds will go towards spreading awareness about breast cancer and its treatment. Every year we distribute chemotherapy drugs to government cancer hospitals and also identify people whose treatment we would sponsor.”

Sonakshi has posed for a calendar portraying the various roles that a woman plays — daughter, sister, mother, lover, friend etc. She says, “Each woman shares a sense of responsibility towards the other and by involving myself in this cause, I am fulfilling a part of that responsibility.” The calendars will be sold for Rs500 each.

Diana says, “The more awareness we spread, the better it is. The number of breast cancer cases is increasing and people should know how to detect and cure it.”

There are also diaries designed by artists Arzan Khambatta and Seema Kohli. Arzan says, “I wanted 12 sketches for the diary. I drew out the 12 signs of the zodiac. In the beginning of the diary there is information on breast cancer.” Akbar Padamsee says, “Signs of breast cancer can be self-detected and it is curable if detected earlier.”

Rajashree Birla says, “One in every 25 women in urban areas is cancer-afflicted. The rate may increase. It’s time to stop it.”