A site that attempts to battle this life-threatening disease with an unique e-campaign

"As human beings, it is our primary duty to erase any pain we see."

It is this belief that led to the creation of a site that hopes to build a cancer-free world using the medium of ecards, a popular way to send wishes across cyberspace. 

When Karen Hopson, who has a little daughter suffering from cancer, received an ecard from Cancer-free World, she replied saying, "God has blessed us and he continues to bless us through people like you. Thank you for sharing your abilities with children who have special trials in life."

Set up by an Indian* and his two sons, aged 20 and 16, the objective of this site is to create awareness about cancer. Says the man behind this initiative, "When a small child is diagnosed with cancer, the parents and friends suffer alongside. Through these cards we hope to encourage, cheer and support. It is our way of saying: 'Yes I know that all of you are undergoing tremendous pain, but I admire your strength. Let us laugh for a moment, have faith in the almighty, everything will be fine'."

It is managed entirely by this three-member team and there is no back-up staff or monetary help. He says, "I have no money to promote this campaign. My two sons help me whenever they get time off their studies."

Launched on May 31, the first cards were created for survivors, since June 1 was Survivors Day in America. Prevent Cancer cards spread awareness about the various forms of the disease.  There are also cards for social organisations that wish to appeal for help. With messages like 'A good number of cancer patients are young children. Help them fight this grim battle,' these cards encourage people to contribute to local cancer charities.

There are riddles and jokes for children suffering from cancer, wallpapers and ecards that say, Cheer Up Fighter,  Congratulations Survivor or Encouragement from a survivor. There is a gallery of thank you ecards meant for doctors, nurses and those who lend support. To help root out cancer in the early stages, there are ecards that list the symptoms of different types of cancers like larynx, lung and skin cancer.

A cancer patient who wants a customised ecard only needs to ask for it. In fact, the first request came in from Judy from the United States, a woman who has just undergone seven months of chemotherapy.

At present, the spotlight is on women. Breast and cervical cancer can be detected at an early stage, increasing the chance of a cure. Yet, many women are unaware of the early symptoms and techniques of self-examination.

 In a bid to draw attention of women, the site has launched a Save the Mothers campaign. It is a chain campaign of ecards around the world, launched to "save the lovely mothers for their children". The campaign features ecards and wallpapers that ask, "Should a child ever lose his mother? If we can prevent the death of a mother, shouldn't we try?"

Most of us would reply in the affirmative. But how can we help? It's simple. The site has attractive wallpapers with messages about cancer prevention. A mail is sent out to individuals asking them to download these wallpapers absolutely free. When viewed by colleagues and visitors, they will create more awareness.

About using the Internet for this crusade, the site creator says, "How else do I convey my message to people in Germany or the UK or the US? I like to express myself in a poetic fashion, using software like Flash. This is not possible on a static page." The aim is to make use of the accessibility and dynamism of the Web and reach out and "spread some cheer somewhere".

He says, "I am writing to people around the world. Unfortunately, most of my emails are treated as spam." Often there is no response. Sometimes he gets messages like "Don't unload garbage in my mailbox!" Yet his effort to reach out using the Internet continues.

Despite poor response and lack of monetary support he persists in his endeavour. He attributes his passion for the cause due to the suffering he bore on account of someone very dear to him. He explains, "It was then that I decided to try and reduce whatever pain I could. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, is the physical treatment and a declaration that nothing more can be done, enough?"

He believes that as humans our duties go beyond providing physical treatment. Through Cancer-free World he offers moral support to those battling the disease.

In what way can a reader contribute to this campaign? Join this noble e-crusade. The site owner suggests, "If you and your colleagues send ecards to your friends, that can spread a lot of awareness. Will you not help?  It costs nothing."

It's an appeal that's difficult to turn down.