Many
on Harley-Davidsons bikes participated in the bikeathon organized by the
hospital
BGS Global Hospitals organized a Bikeathon
to campaign for a tobacco free society as part of its corporate social
responsibility – ‘Embracing life, Staying alive’.
People from various walks of life
rode Harley Davidsons’ and other superbikes covering a 17 Km stretch from
Queen’s Circle, Cubbon Park to BGS Global Hospitals, Uttarahalli Road.
Participants displayed placards with messages to create awareness about the ill
effects of tobacco consumption and colourful balloons. The aim of the event was
to spread awareness and inspire people to take a vow to quit consumption of
tobacco. A graffiti arranged by the hospital at the start point bore messages
written by the participants, dignitaries as well passersby to quit tobacco.
The
bikethon was flagged off by Sri V B Patil, Commissioner, Health and Family
Welfare, in the presence of Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, Vice-Chairman
and Chief Neurosurgeon, BGS
Global Hospitals.
Dr. K. Ravindranath, Chairman and
Managing Director, Global Hospitals Group
said, “BGS Global Hospitals is committed to the cause of cancer prevention and
conducts regular awareness and de-addiction programs at the hospital as well as
through outreach programs.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. N. K.
Venkataramana, Vice-Chairman and Chief Neurosurgeon, BGS Global Hospitals added, “This bikeathon is one such awareness event
hosted by BGS Global Hospitals in association with Tusker Harley-Davidson on
the occasion of World No tobacco day. This unique event presents a fun filled
awareness activity for the present day youth. You need not be a smoker to be
cool. And a message to the youth who could fall prey to this habit because of
peer pressure - Be aware and learn to say ‘NO to Tobacco’.
Dr/ Vishal Rao, Head and Neck Onco
Surgeon, BGS Global Hospitals
said, “Because of the increasing usage of tobacco among the youth in Karnataka,
it is important to increase awareness on the preventable causes of cancer such
as tobacco consumption. Presently in
Karnataka, 10 to 12% of the youth consume tobacco and the age of initiation to this
habit is presently seen from 10 years onwards. This could possibly be the
reason why we are seeing many cases of cancers in the younger age group.
Majority of these cancers are preventable, tobacco being responsible for 50% of
the cancers.”
Dr.
Ganesha Dev Vashishta, Chief Medical Oncologist, BGS Global Hospitals added, “Tobacco consumption not only causes lung cancer, it
also causes cancers of the larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, food pipe, pancreas,
kidney, stomach, colon, etc. Tobacco smoking causes heart, lung and brain diseases,
including heart attacks, stroke, etc. Non
smoke tobacco like chewing, snuff, etc are also dangerous. Passive or
secondhand smokers are at risk of heart and lung diseases in addition to
cancer. If tobacco usage is completely stopped, then two thirds of all cancers
can be prevented. Awareness about the
ill effects of tobacco is the only real way of preventing tobacco related
cancers.”