GEM Cancer Centre, a unit of GEM Hospitals celebrated its first Rose Day on Saturday with Mahakavi Bharathi's words "Vallamai Thaarayo" as its theme to motivate cancer patients and create awareness among society that cancer is not a dangerous disease.

Over 100 cancer patients undergoing treatment and those who have completed treatment participated and motivated others patients to keep their confidence up, take treatment and believe firmly that they can overcome this disease.

Dr.C.Palanivelu, Chairman, GEM Hospitals presided over the event. Dr.Praveen Raj, CEO of GEM Hospitals, Ms.Jaya Palanivelu and Ms. Prabha Praveen Raj also took part in the program and inaugurated the program.

The Chief Guest of this event, Karthikeyan IPS, Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore launched the 'Free mammogram campaign' (for eligible women above 40 years) at Gem Cancer Centre. He also launched Gem Hospital's dedicated Onco-Support Group for cancer patients.

Dr.C.Palanivelu, Chairman of GEM Hospitals spoke about his journey in treating several cancer patients over a span of 50 years. He also mentioned that his motivation to take up Laparoscopic surgery during his training came from ailing cancer patients who endured complications of major surgeries.

He appealed all to think of cancer as a treatable disease, and not dangerous one. He also highlighted that ignorance is worse than diseases, and emphasized the importance of cancer screening, and underlined that it can reduce cancer burden in society if people take preventive aspect seriously.

Dr.Praveen Raj, shared that today cancer is just like any other disease. If you leave any disease to mature to advanced stages, it is likely to cause death. So what people need to do is be conscious of their health, undergo checkups for prevention and take timely treatment for any sickness, with courage and confidence.The medical advancements to treat cancer today are phenomenal, he remarked.

Dr.Praveen underlined that GEM has advanced cancer prevention programs too. Speaking about it, he said GEM's cancer prevention program is inspired by the WHO model. This checkup includes simple examinations that can detect cancer risks in patients (if prevalent). Adults can take this test like how they take master health checkups, and stay ahead of risks. He appealed everyone to spread the message 'Prevention is better than cure'.

Delivering his address, Karthikeyan IPS opined that medicine alone cannot help one to overcome cancer. Courage and confidence are crucial for that. On that note he appreciated all the patients who had gathered at the event for being bold and taking treatments.

Earlier Dr.Bharath Rangarajan, Director of Gem Cancer centre welcomed the gathering. Rtn.Madhana Gopal, an orator delivered a motivational speech. At the end of the event, Dr.Shivakumar, Head of Surgical Oncology proposed the Vote of thanks.