Ritu Biyani Joseph
Being on the move is not just for seeing scenic spots, but to spread awareness about cancer, Ritu Biyani Joseph tells S. Sandeep Kumar
In 177 days, she travelled over 30,000 kilometres, reaching the four geographical tips of the country.
This adventure trip might be a task for many but not for Ritu Biyani Joseph, a cancer survivor.
She completed the trip along with her daughter in 2006.
Though it was adventurous, there was a cause -- to create awareness about cancer and disseminating information about the dreadful disease -- in undertaking the trip.
Apart from being a mountaineer, skydiver, photographer, lady paratrooper from the Indian Army Dental Corps, this avid adventurer is also a dental surgeon.
Though it was shattering for her, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Ritu Biyani Joseph did not lose her confidence or heart.
“I still remember it. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month after launching my private clinic at Pune. But I believed in myself,” says Dr. Ritu Biyani Joseph.
But what made her to undertake the trip? “I am always game for adventure trips. Perhaps it was the action of an educated lady in leaving my clinic after enquiring about my baldness (due to chemotherapy), that clinched the decision,” she says sporting a smile. “There is no awareness about cancer among people, particularly women. It is high time to disseminate information and make people aware. After undergoing treatment, I decided to do that,” says Ms. Ritu, who was in the city recently to flag off a cancer awareness drive.
Till date, she travelled over 70,000 kilometres covering the length and breadth of the country and conducted nearly 500 workshops, particularly about breast cancer, cervix and oral cancer at different places.
The moment people are diagnosed with cancer, they lose hope. They indulge in self-pity and this should be avoided. People should first accept it and then communicate with family members. There are many support groups and experts are willing to counsel patients, she urges.
Not confining to participating in adventure trips, she launched Highways Infinite, a foundation that works on conducting workshops, counselling sessions etc.
The objective is to reach to the people with emphasis on youth across the country.
Thanks to technology, people from remote places in Assam and Jharkhand seek counselling over phone, informs the 51-year-old cancer survivor.
She can be contacted over phone: +91-9881232744 or email at: missionhighways@gmail.com
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