Kolkata: 
In
a joint effort to raise awareness about cancer, Bollywood actress
Manisha Koirala and Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh Tuesday evening pepped
up millions of people affected with the ailment, asserting "If we can,
you can".
Rejecting the notion "cancer has no answer", both
Koirala and Yuvraj Singh valiantly fought and overcame the
life-threatening cancer.
The Bollywood actress and the aggressive
left-handed batsman spoke about the traumatic moment when they came to
know of their affliction, followed by agonising and tough treatment
process, but finally - the victory over cancer.
Having gone through it all, both have decided to spread awareness about the disease.
"No
matter at what stage the disease is detected, you have to pick up the
pieces yourself and fight back. I tell people 'If Yuve can, you can',",
said Yuvraj Singh during a lively interaction programme, "Pratigya,
Cancer Myths and Reality", organised at a five-star hotel here.
Manisha, who dislikes the term "cancer survivor" as it sounds "meek", called herself a "cancer crusader".
"A
crusader has the attitude which gives you strength, because that is
what you need when you are fighting a disease, which may be cancer or
some other thing."
"There is a stigma that cancer means death.
No, it is not so. I know lot of people who got cancer, got treatment and
are fine. Let us crusade against any kind of challenges," said the
actress.
Cancer patients, doctors, leading Bengali film stars,
singers, fashion designers, sportsmen, socialites - in short, the creme
de la creme of the city attended the programme that aimed to raise
awareness about cancer.
The audience listened to the duo in rapt attention, breaking out in spontaneous applause now and then.
Yuvraj acknowledged they had now become role models for cancer patients. "We both are symbols of hope and courage."
On
his comeback into the Indian team, he said: "It is the passion to come
back. If you have the passion, you can come back. This is the reason I
am back. Hopefully, I can play a few more years for the country".
The strength to fight against the disease comes from within, your family, friends and well-wishers, said the cricketer.
Yuvraj exuded confidence that Manisha would also make a comeback, but cautioned her against hurrying.
"The media should not hound her about her comeback schedule," he added.
The star-cricketer said, early detection was the key to fight back the disease.
Manisha
Koirala, who gave a motivational speech, helped by audio-visual props
like slides, her pictures as a child, a young girl, an actress and as a
cancer patient, said: "The disease has taught me what all that is
important in my life. I want to tell people how fragile life is. We
should value our life, our health."
She stressed on leading a healthy life and eating organic food.
Leading
Bengali film actress Rituparna Sengupta, whose organisation "Bhavna Aaj
or Kaal" tied up with corporate affairs expert Subroto Mukherjee's
"Illusions" for the show, said: "We all have our professional lives, but
beyond that we have some duty. We need to do our bit for the society."