'Every Survivor Is a Story of Hope': Manipal Hospital Celebrates Sarcoma Survivors in Kolkata

The event highlighted survivors' stories and experiences, placing them centre stage, while also educating on the physical and psychological tolls such a diagnosis can inflict.

The event brought together survivors, caregivers, oncologists, healthcare professionals, and various notable figures in the health department, such as Swami Kripananda, Dr. Kaushik Nandy, and Dr. Mukul Bhattacharya (Vice Chancellor of the West Bengal University of Health Sciences).

Speeches by various health professionals, oncologists, and psychologists discussed different aspects of sarcoma before sarcoma survivors took the stage to share their real-life experiences and how they dealt with every part of the journey (physically and mentally).

One sarcoma survivor talked about following her passion for music and dance despite her sarcoma diagnosis: “I followed my passion, and I think that is really important.”  She then presented the audience with a Rabindra Sangeet and dance performance she and her friends had prepared.

Various other dignitaries then took the stage, notably Dr. Mukul Chatterjee. The event concluded with a drama organised by the hospital to entertain the attendees.

Dignitaries at the inauguration of the Sarcoma Survivor Meet 2026. Photo: PR

Talking about her experience dealing with osteosarcoma, Ms. Monimala Mondal, a 29-year-old government employee, told IBNS, “The most difficult part was presenting myself in front of society. I come from a village where having a disease like cancer meant everyone considered you to be extremely close to death. Suddenly, I was not the woman I was; I was suddenly othered. However, my family was extremely supportive during this period, and I have always been an optimistic person.”

She further discussed the importance of treating survivors and patients as normal human beings rather than always having a sympathetic outlook toward them.

Mr. Chinmoy Saha, a 55-year-old mechanical engineer and osteosarcoma survivor, offered this advice to someone recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma: “At first I thought, why me? There are so many people in the world, so why me? But then I realised that we need to take life as it comes at us and we have to accept it and continue with our recovery process.”

He also discussed the importance of eating healthy and staying as chemical-free as possible during the sensitive phase of recovery.

“In today’s age, we have everything but time in our hands, so we thank every individual who took time out of their busy lives to encourage, motivate and learn from these sarcoma survivors," said Dr. Kaushik Nandy, an orthopedic oncology surgeon at the hospital.

Speaking at the event, Nandy told IBNS, “Early signs of sarcoma include bone failure, joint pain and swelling in the knee or the hip joint—signs which patients often overlook.””Asked about the importance of early diagnosis, Dr Nandy reflected, “ When patients are diagnosed early, the chances of treatment and complete recovery are much higher as compared to a late diagnosis, where the treatment might be restricted to being palliative in nature”

On the psychological aspect of the illness, Dr. Nandy told IBNS, “Psychological treatment is very important because an illness like this takes a certain time to get cured, so psychological support helps the patients mentally go through the experience in a healthy manner”

Sarcoma is a rare group of cancers that develop in the bones and tissues of the body, including muscle, fat, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Owing to its rarity and often non-specific symptoms, early diagnosis and timely treatment play a critical role in improving treatment outcomes. Through interactions with survivors, caregivers and doctors, the event underscored the importance of things like early diagnosis, timely treatment and sustained emotional support for living with and recovering from sarcoma.

(Reporting by Swastik Sarkar)