It only takes a minute to show that Life>Cancer

This article is brought to you by Pink Hope

Did you know that cancer is the second-most common cause of death in India (after cardiovascular disease)? And that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India, and accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in women in Indian cities.

When Anni Sharma got married in February 2013, it seemed like the perfect culmination to a seven-year long-distance relationship. But, six months later, in August 2013, she was diagnosed with Stage-2 breast cancer. Anni recollects her initial reaction: “I could not believe it. Why me? What had I done to deserve this?” But she decided that she would not give up and says that her husband was very supportive. “I had just completed my first cycle of chemotherapy, and I lost all my hair the day before my first karva chaut. But, my husband fasted for me. I would not have been able to do this without him. He is the reason I got through this.” Overcoming cancer has taught her to ‘never wait for the right time’. “Live in the present and be grateful for what you have in life. I used to be pessimistic, but am a more positive person now,” she says.

It is imperative that stories like Anni’s be shared because they send out an important message – with the right treatment, support, and care, cancer can be overcome. And the SelfV Survivor Stories initiative is all about celebrating the spirit of the survivors by giving them this unique platform.

SelfV Survivor Stories is initiated by the Pink Hope Cancer Support Group and supported by HCG. This platform gives cancer survivors from around the globe a chance to take a 60-second SelfV video that captures the story of their struggle and conquest over cancer, and share it by uploading it at selfv.in or facebook.com/selfv. These Survivor Stories encourage and give hope to many patients fighting cancer and truly drives home the message that Life is greater than Cancer (Life>Cancer).

The SelfV Survivor Stories initiative has seen 600 survivors share their SelfVs over the last two years. The SelfV Survivor Stories campaign will run for 45 days till the end of November. The videos will be judged by an external jury and the 10 best videos shortlisted will be selected for the grand finale of SelfV 2016.

The 10 best SelfV Survivor videos shortlisted will not only make it to the grand finale, but also stand a chance to win prizes ranging from a Ducati Scrambler bike, international and domestic holidays from Aster, LED TVs from Samsung, designer merchandise from Fervour, home appliances from AW telemobiles, and silverware from Deccan Group.

This year, the SelfV Survivor Stories initiative will culminate in an awards night this December.

So, if you have overcome cancer, or know someone who has, and can be an inspiration to others, log on to www.selfv.in to find out how to participate.

Take a SelfV. Show the world that Life>Cancer.