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According to World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide claiming nearly 10 million lives every year. The WHO also categorizes cancers as lifestyle diseases and proposes that faulty lifestyle practices as the predominant predisposing factor for the occurrence of cancers.
However, we need to understand that getting cancer is not the end of the world. No doubt it is a dreaded disease, but there are many who have emerged winners in their war against cancer. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, actors Lisa Ray and Sonali Bendre are a few examples. They have come out victorious in their battle against cancer. They defeated the disease with timely treatment, strong willpower and their desire to live.
Here, meet cancer survivor Swagatika Acharya who has beaten the disease with her sheer determination. She was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19. Now she is working as an activist to help improve the lives of people with the disease.
Hailing from Cuttack Bidanasi, Swagatika was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of cancer in India that occurs in the nasopharynx, when she was pursuing law studies at SOA University.
Following her recovery from cancer, Swagatika dedicated her life to cancer victims. Of late, she has set a new example for cancer victims by climbing 12,000 ft mountain. She has literally proved that willpower is the best weapon to beat the disease. In difficult situations, she never let her willpower down. With an aim to boost willpower among the cancer victims, she climbed Dayara Bugyal mountain in Dehradun.
Swagatika said, “We left for Dehradun on June 3 and reached Dehradun the very next day. Then we left for our base camp Raithal which took 10 hours to reach. When I expressed my desire to go for Dayara Bugyal trekking, my friends and my family questioned my caliber as I was underweight among my fellow trekkers. I kept mum as I wanted to give them a fitting reply through my work.”
Swagatika’s father Manoranjan Acharya said, “I was a little apprehensive about her trekking plan as she was so thin. Besides, she is still dealing with side effects of radiation. Then I gave my nod thinking all she is doing to motivate cancer victims.”
According to sources, eight cancer survivors including Swagatika were given chance for the mountain trekking by a private hospital. Swagitika’s father had accompanied her in the trekking. Swagatika has, meanwhile, expressed her desire to climb Mount Everest if given a chance.
Oncologist Sanjay Mishra said, “The trek was no doubt challenging. It was tough even for a fit person like me. However, survivors had become mentally strong after fighting cancer. Swagatika was underweight but she is very much mentally strong which is why she made it possible.”
Apart from practicing law in High Court, Swagatika has carved a niche for herself as a reputed Odissi dancer. Besides, she is into modelling and has been honoured many times for her creativity.
