Breast Cancer Survivors Share Their Stories at London Awareness Event

नेपाली लिङ्क अक्टोबर २५, २०२६

London. There is a common perception that a cancer diagnosis inevitably means the end of a person’s life. However, cancer survivors have shared their experiences of how the disease can be overcome with timely treatment, love and support from family, society and colleagues, and strong willpower.

Women who have overcome cancer shared their experiences at ‘The Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness’ event organised in London on Saturday by The Lamichhane Foundation, chaired by successful London-based businessman and philanthropist Rabindra Jung Lamichhane.

‘Pink October’ is an international health campaign held every October to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, early detection and research.

Susmita Yakso Kandangwa, who recovered from breast cancer within 14 months and returned to her normal life, shared her experience of overcoming cancer through medical treatment under doctors’ supervision, physical exercise, positive thinking, love from family and friends, and strong willpower.

She also encouraged people not to remain at home crying and thinking, ‘Now I am going to die’, but instead to come out into society, speak openly about their experiences and raise awareness.

Another survivor, Christina, shared that although she initially felt distressed because of her love for her children, she overcame breast cancer with strong determination. She also said that receiving complete support and love not only from her family but also at her workplace helped her forget the suffering caused by the disease.

The Foundation’s General Secretary and Trustee, Laxmi (Lara) Rai, said that she was diagnosed with breast cancer last April and is currently undergoing medical treatment. She shared that she has continued with her regular job, holidays and social activities while taking precautions against infection.

‘Rather than hiding this disease, I felt I should make others aware of it. After I posted about it on social media, I have been receiving hundreds of messages wishing me a speedy recovery from people at home and abroad. The love and support of everyone have given me the firm belief that I will overcome this disease,’ she said.

The event was chaired by the Foundation’s President, fashion businessman and philanthropist Rabindra Jung Lamichhane.

Chief guest, Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, advised people to undergo regular health checks and to speak openly about their suffering rather than hiding it. She encouraged anyone experiencing discomfort or unusual symptoms to contact their GP immediately.

Dr Rupa Huq, a Labour MP who has represented Ealing Central and Acton since 2015, is also an academic, writer and former sociology lecturer at Kingston University. She has been actively engaged with the diverse communities in her constituency, including the Nepali community, supporting community initiatives and addressing local concerns.

Noting that the Nepali community has made significant contributions to Britain, she expressed her commitment to providing support and assistance from her side if any problems arose.

MP Huq also praised Foundation President Rabindra Jung Lamichhane for organising such an event and raising awareness within the Nepali community.

Special guest Keith Vaz, another British MP and former minister, urged the Foundation to continue organising such useful programmes and recalled businessman Lamichhane’s significant contribution towards further strengthening relations between Britain and Nepal.

MP Vaz noted that Lamichhane was among the few businesspeople of South Asian origin contributing to the British economy and also praised him as the ‘Star of Kathmandu’.

At the event, hosted by Trustee Lara, Rashmita Darlami, President of the Nepalese Nursing Association UK; Babita Lama, General Manager of Copeland Cares; Shanti Rai of Creatives for Culture; Hari Bhandari of The Gurkha Centre; and Mala Gurung of Maya Outreach Cancer Support spoke about cancer and the awareness and support activities being carried out by their respective organisations.

They described The Lamichhane Foundation’s initiative as an important programme and wished the organisation further success.

Businessman Mahanta Shrestha OBE thanked the Foundation for organising an awareness programme on a relevant contemporary issue.

Foundation President and businessman Lamichhane thanked the MPs, participants and all supporters, saying that the event had further inspired him to engage in social service in the future.

During the programme, the Foundation presented ‘Tokens of Love’ to women who had overcome cancer and to the guests. Just a few weeks earlier, the Foundation had provided approximately NPR 10.7 million in assistance to victims of the Bhotekoshi floods.