Last weekend was very busy for me in my volunteer work capacity, but was indeed productive…I was in back-to-back some amazing events, including:

– Speaker and Panelist at the “𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞” by the LUNGevity Foundation, US

– Speaker and Panelist at the “𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫” in Delhi

– Speaker and Chief Guest at “𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲” on “World Pharmacist Day 2023”

At the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference, it was great to be on the panel with esteemed oncologists from the 𝐔𝐒, 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚. Kudos to the moderator Dr Amy Moore for such an engaging session, and Thanks a million to LUNGevity and its team especially my dearest Dr Upal Basu Roy bhai for the support and great work for lung cancer community. I raised and discussed the issue of equity, access and affordability in Lung Cancer care in India and Asia.
Healthcare is a basic right for everyone and not a privilege for the few. Until we ensure equal access & affordability in Lung Cancer globally, as my Kusum used to say, “Losing is Not an Option“! The event was joined by hundreds of participants from more than 𝟓𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 to learn how to live well with lung cancer.

At the Indian Cancer Society Annual Seminar, I was a panelist and speaker along with India’s leading oncologists (Padam Shri awardee, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India), bureaucrats and NGO leaders. I spoke on the unfortunate situation of a lack of Clinical Trials in Cancer care in India. And from Cancer patients and caregivers’ perspective on why clinical trials are critical for access to the latest treatment, a better outcome, and long-term survival in cancer care.

At Amity Institute of Pharmacy on World Pharmacist Day, I was invited as to address a large gathering of pharmaceutical sciences students on “𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲” to encourage and guide a new generation of talent for Pharma industry, Regulatory Affairs and Medical Writing.

For Kusum Malik Tomar, For Humanity
Vivek

It has been more than 4 years since Kusum aka Vibha passed away. However, I have kept her mobile number active; all her WhatsApp chats, emails, mobile games—everything is still here as it was with her.

Last night, I picked up Kusum’s mobile and was reading those old golden chats between me and her in her WhatsApp itself. When I was done, I kept her mobile aside and picked up my mobile…….And then I saw Kusum appearing as ‘online’ at my WhatsApp ….For next few seconds, I forgot everything; I forgot that she is no longer between us; I forgot that I was the one who was using her WhatsApp a second before….I felt like she went somewhere without contact and came back….And surely for a second, it felt like she was alive again…….My eyes started to search…….I was totally confused…..It felt like that my heart skipped a few beats and then started pumping like anything……That feeling I realized in those few seconds is impossible to describe and categorized,       but those few seconds…uffffffffff!!

And this is it, this is today’s blog….nothing much, but……

PS: Attention to all who have Kusum aka Vibha’s cell number: I would like to share that Suryansh (Kusum and my son), this amazing boy, has decided that he is taking Kusum’s mobile number and would use it as his permanent personal number. I know a few of you continued to send your personal messages to Kusum on her mobile number. I have never read them, as I know how personal, emotional, and important those messages are for you. However, in the future, you will not be able to send such messages…I am sorry for that! But at the same time, I am sure you would be happy seeing that Kusum’s number will remain active and will be used by none other than her son, and that you can dial that number again.

In memory and in love,
Vivek

#SpreadLoveSpreadHope #RiseToSurviveCancer #KusumVsCancer #Grief