Hyderabad, July 22: In an emotional tribute to courage and resilience, Apollo Cancer Centre, Jubilee Hills, honoured bone cancer survivors many of them children and young adults during a special programme organised as part of World Sarcoma Month, highlighting that timely diagnosis and advanced treatment can save lives.
The event celebrated the extraordinary journeys of young survivors who fought one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and emerged victorious. A 12-year-old student, who shared her inspiring recovery story, said the battle against bone cancer was difficult but was made possible through timely treatment, unwavering support from doctors, and the encouragement of her family.
Speaking on the occasion, Padmashree and Director Apollo Cancer Center Dr. P. Vijay Anand Reddy said sarcomas are rare but potentially life-threatening cancers that often affect children, teenagers and young adults. He stressed that persistent bone pain, swelling or unexplained lumps should never be ignored, as early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment approach significantly improve survival and help preserve limbs.
Dr. Rajeev Reddy, Orthopaedic Oncologist, said bone cancer treatment demands immense physical and emotional strength, and the determination shown by the survivors serves as an inspiration for patients currently undergoing treatment. He noted that advances in limb-salvage surgery, precision oncology and rehabilitation have transformed outcomes, allowing many young patients to return to school, sports and normal life.
Apollo Hospitals Telangana Regional CEO Mr. Tejesvi Rao Veerepalli said bone cancer often receives less public attention than other cancers despite affecting many young lives. He said awareness about early symptoms and prompt medical consultation can make a crucial difference in saving lives and improving quality of life.
The programme also featured an awareness session on the warning signs of bone cancer, the importance of early diagnosis, modern limb-salvage procedures and rehabilitation. Survivors were presented with mementoes and certificates in recognition of their inspiring journey.
The event was attended by Dr. Nikhil Suresh Ghadyalpatil, Dr. Ajesh Raj Saxena, Dr. S.V.S.S. Prasad, Dr. T.P.S. Bhandari, Dr. Padmaja Lokireddy, Dr. Pavan Kumar Boyella, Dr. Yugandhar Sarma, Dr. Shilpa Reddy, Mr. Sudhakar Prasad, Dr. Sravan Kumar Dubbasi, and Dr. Satyesh Nadella along with oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, healthcare professionals and family members of the survivors.