Beyond Cancer: Care, support and will to prevail

Core members of Beyond Cancer and others along with Banuo Z Jamir with the Newsletter published on account of the second anniversary at the Aiko Greens, Purana Bazaar, Dimapur on October 19.

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 19

The discovery of cancer in one’s body or someone close generally is devastating news. But a local cancer support group asserts that with the proper support, care and personal will to prevail, more than half the battle is won. 

As cited by care givers, it is more the thought or fear that destroys a person than the disease itself. 

“We want to send out a message that cancer can happen to anyone. But it is not a curse and it is treatable,” said Ahimsa Zhimo, founder of Nagaland-based Beyond Cancer— a cancer support group formed in 2017. Zhimo brought together survivors or in their words “conquerors” and people affected by cancer to serve as motivators for those struggling to battle the inner turmoil that overcomes a patient.  

As a survivor, she recalled how she had to steel herself to take on the ailment. While stating that they are trying to register as a society, she said they want it to be a movement that moves forward and continue to be of help. 

On October 19, the group observed its second anniversary at the Aiko Greens, Purana Bazaar with well wishers. Former Chief Secretary and retired IAS officer Banuo Z Jamir, who is also a cancer survivor, was among the guests. 

“Cancer is frightening, it is traumatic. But we have to will ourselves to move on, go through it. I would encourage everyone to believe that you are getting well. It is not a curse, it is just like any other disease,” said Jamir. 

Having the patience and belief to get well, not hesitating to seek help and importantly, developing a close and constant relation with God will go a long way, she added. 

Jamir also released a commemorative second anniversary newsletter of the group. 

In the Newsletter, founder Zhimo wrote, “After chemotherapy my taste buds started to act strange. The foods that I loved lost their savor. The mouth watering recipe tasted bitter, some tasted like metal and some even smelled like ashes.”

She recalled that it was only faith in God and the will to go on that helped her endure those arduous times. “Through this newsletter, I would like to briefly share how I made it through those dark tunnels and continued to nourish and successfully replenished my battered and broken body with the hope that it be an encouragement to someone.” 
As attested by Jamir and Zhimo, appetite goes away and eating becomes a challenge. Yet one has to eat well along with the treatment.   

Representatives from the CIHSR and Eden Medical Centre also spoke at the event.
According to a member of Beyond Cancer, they are planning to open a palliative care centre in Dimapur. “We want people to open up about cancer. Reach out to patients with supportive care,” the member said. 

It has built and shares a strong relation with the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research and Eden Medical Centre, the only two known medical establishments in Nagaland that provides cancer care and treatment. The member said that they have made a tradition of routinely interacting with and counselling the cancer patients in the two hospitals.