World Rose Day is celebrated every year on 22nd September and no, this is not the rose day from the Valentine week. Not even remotely connected to it. In fact, World Rose Day has nothing to with the flower rose but is observed in honor of a 12-year-old girl, Melinda Rose from Canada.
Miss Rose was diagnosed with Askin’s Tumor, a rare form of blood cancer. During her prophylaxis, the doctors predicted that Melinda would not survive more than a couple of weeks but she lived for six months more.
Within that period, she met various other cancer patients and put in efforts to bring joy and hope into their lives, even in the face of her own ailment.
As a tribute to Rose, people on this day around the globe work towards cheering and motivating people who have been affected by cancer. More importantly, it seeks to remind patients and their caregivers that they are not alone while battling the disease.
Cancer treatment is predominantly carried out by chemotherapy which not only affects to physical state of the patients but also their emotional and mental state.
This leaves the patients undergoing treatment rather weak and exhausted. In addition, the costs associated with the treatment of cancer does not ease out a cancer-victim and their family’s suffering.
However, 22nd September each year, the world unites and backs the cancer-victims in the form of kind gestures, be it big or small. We even get to see some celebrity performances for these patients in their hospital wards to cheer them up.
Last year, Marvel fulfilled a dying patient’s wish to know the ending of Avenger’s Endgame since the patient would not be able to witness it in person.
While it is truly touching to see people go out of their way to support someone, it would be even better if there were a cure to cancer. Unfortunately, the medical and science fields are yet to come up with an absolute cure for cancer despite their continuous dedication to this cause. Maybe someday we will be celebrating a Cancer Freedom Day. Till then lets do our bit in helping and supporting the cancer patients.
