After fighting cancer, they head to Russia

On May 31, 15 cancer survivors between the ages of 7 and 16 will leave for Moscow to represent India at the World Children's Winners Games — widely regarded as the Olympics of cancer survivors. While 10 are from Mumbai, the others are from across the country. All of them were treated for cancer at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Parel.

The competition, organised by the Gift of Life Foundation, will see participation from over 20 countries across the world.

"The children lose confidence during cancer treatment as they go through radiation, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant sessions. That is why we encourage them to engage in games," said Ameeta Bhatia, who is a volunteer social worker at the hospital's paediatric department.

This is the fourth time that a team from India is participating in the competition. For the past three months, a group of cancer survivors were trained in games like chess, running, rifle shooting, tennis, football and swimming by different volunteers across centres in the city.

The cost is being borne by Impact Foundation along with another Russian NGO. The children are set to return to India on June 6.

"The children train on a regular basis, and I am expecting them to come back with at least four medals," said Sharad Vaze, who has been coaching cancer survivors in chess for the last four years.

"I have been training over the weekends for the past few months but I had not played chess before that," said Mohammad Uzair, 15, who expects to win.

At TMC, children are encouraged to take up different activities so that their mind is diverted from the gruelling treatment they are going through. "I see a lot of difference between them when they come for their first counselling session and eventually for the follow-up. Initially, their self-esteem is very low but eventually these activities help them get their confidence back," Bhatia added.