Empowering breast cancer patients through community support

An initiative that I am particularly passionate about is TishCAN, a humble support group dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer patients who are unable to solicit donations or raise funds on their own.

Just this mere gesture of thinking about women who are financially strapped, but cannot ask for funds to treat their cancer, is a noble thought. And being able to help any such woman in peril, in whatever small way, is a significant achievement.

"All cancer battles are difficult. Living through breast cancer myself, I am aware of the ordeal. I founded TishCAN in 2023, with the pursuit of raising awareness for cancer patients and holding hands with fellow survivors. The power of community and the strength of loved ones is so helpful; it makes all the difference in a person's life who is undergoing cancer treatment," says Nuzhat Tarannum, founder of TishCAN.

Nuzhat is courageous in facing her own battle, and in this difficult journey, she is trying to help hold the hands of fellow patients. She has created a support group with patients, survivors, healthcare professionals, and advocates for those battling cancer to adhere to a healthy lifestyle for recovery.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To commemorate this, TishCAN raises funds to support breast cancer patients by organising exhibitions, fundraising events, and raising community support throughout the month of September.

"TishCAN Pink Carnival – Stand with Breast Cancer Warriors" is such an awareness programme to help save lives through early detection and education. At the fundraising fair, people donate items which are then sold to raise funds.

TishCAN's next special event will be held on September 27 from 4:00pm–6:00pm at Gulshan Society Lake Park.

The event will be an awareness and wellness session featuring expert on breast cancer, survivor stories, and an energizing Zumba session.

There is a registration fee for the "Cancer Awareness & Wellness" event on Saturday at Gulshan Lake Park. It aims to be a heartwarming community event filled with pink-themed ideas, love, and support.

TishCAN, this October, plans to take another bold step and go on a wellness trip to Cox's Bazar with 17 of its support group members. The trip is generously supported by the City Group.

All proceeds from these events go towards direct support for Breast Cancer Warriors in need.

"Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, and the side effects of such a difficult treatment process are overwhelming. So, TishCAN is my humble effort to support cancer patients, particularly those who are not comfortable asking for financial help despite facing hardship.

"A patient may have been the sole earner of her family, or might have other financial responsibilities, but her earnings are stalled because of her health. Helping to ease that burden and provide financial relief along with mental support is what I strive for," says Nuzhat, saying it is the reason to initiate Pink October fundraising events by TishCAN.

Cancer is cruel and breast cancer, I think, is the hardest. Particularly because we, women, always want to feel beautiful inside and out.

The breast cancer struggle isn't just physical; it's a profound emotional journey, where recovery is a complicated process involving physical, emotional, and psychological healing. Then there is the financial aspect of the treatment and recovery, which just cannot be ignored.

Breast cancer is said to be highly treatable, especially if diagnosed at an early stage and with timely intervention. You can have healthy years or even decades after receiving treatment and keeping follow-up appointments.

However, there is always a dark cloud looming over, you can never be cancer-free. The possibility never fully disappears; late recurrences can occur even after years of remission.

"Give back. Spread hope. Be part of something beautiful. Together, we can turn simple things into something life-changing for others and yourself," is Nuzhat's only wish on her way to recovery.