Success Stories
Dr. Ritesh Kumar
Dr. Ritesh Kumar was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) at a young age of 10; it took him a year to be treated and bounced back. Though he went through a difficult treatment his hope was always high & much bigger than cancer. After overcoming this difficulty, he decided to help others who are at the same stage, once where he was, through his noble profession - A doctor!
In 2015, he achieved his goal of becoming a doctor after clearing AIPMT. He has successfully completed MBBS from Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai in February 2020. Currently he is posted at COVID-19 ward in Seven Hills Hospital, Andheri.
He says, "Although my cancer treatment was very painful. I never lost hope, because I knew I will definitely win over cancer and hence I decided to become a doctor, so that I can serve other cancer patients. I am thankful to Indian Cancer Society, Mumbai for providing me holistic care which includes financial & psychological support in education & other aspects."
Dr. Ritesh has shared with us, his experience of treating COVID-19 patients; he says, “Being a doctor my first responsibility is to save the life of patients & I will continue to do that no matter what. The fear of getting infected is always there and we have to live with it. It does play on our mind but we have to fight hard to keep such negative thoughts away”.
He has been an active member of the Childhood Survivor's Support Group – ICS-UGAM. He is now trying to make a positive impact on the lives of other cancer patients by consistently & willingly participating in events like, ‘RELAY FOR LIFE' and other similar events.
We are indeed very much proud of him & wish him all the very best.
Vedesh Joshi
Vedesh Joshi from Nagpur, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (one type of Blood cancer) in 2011, when he was only one and half years old.
He along with his parents shifted to Mumbai and experienced severe financial crisis during the treatment. Despite all the hurdles, he completed his treatment successfully from Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai.
Currently, Vedesh will be promoted to 6th standard and is excellent in his academic performance, sports and extracurricular activities. In 2019, he stood first in Geeta Shlok Recitation Interschool Competition, Nagpur. In the same year he along with other children were invited to All India Radio- Akashvani, Nagpur for recording a song conveying the importance of conserving water.
His father says, ‘If anyone comes to my family to seek information about cancer treatment, we help them as far as possible and sometimes I even guide them to the hospital’.
ICS-Survivorship Vertical (Mumbai) is an integral part of providing psychosocial counseling at After completion of Treatment (ACT Clinic) for holistic care of childhood cancer survivors at Wadia Hospital.
Vedesh is a beneficiary of Dr. D J Jussawalla Education and Vocational Skills fund of ICS and has been receiving holistic care including financial and psychological support
We are indeed very much proud of him & wish him all the very best.