Swagatika Acharya: Cancer Survivor Leading The Change

Swagatika Acharya: Cancer Survivor Leading The Change

Swagatika Acharya was only 19 when she was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare type of cancer, but against all odds she made it through her sheer determination and will power. Now, she has her own support group ‘Awaaken Cancer Care Trust’, a non-profit organisation comprising 30 members, to help other patients deal with the disease and its after effects.  

Through her Trust, Swagatika is also working towards educating the masses about cancer. “Our Trust works for cancer survivors across Odisha. We provide counselling, financial aid, treatment, funding and all other requirements of patients. Our aim is to remove the misconception in people’s minds that cancer kills. Even educated people have a preconceived notion that cancer is synonymous to death. But we need to change that. People think celebrities go abroad for treatment and are able to afford it, so they get cured. I was treated in Odisha and I’m fine now. From my experience, I know people become hopeless when it comes to cancer,” she informed.

Cancer came as a shock to Swagatika’s family as she was healthy as ever and did not have any symptoms or signs before the diagnosis. She was the first to see her medical reports. After some research, she figured out that it was cancer. Though only a teenager, she did not lose her calm for even a second. “I knew I had two options: break down and cry over it or fight and overcome the disease. I chose the latter. I chose to be the optimistic, happy-go-lucky girl I always was. And here I am,” she said.

Despite being called out by the society for being a liability to the family, Swagatika’s parents stood by her. They shut all the cruel taunts and comments from her and supported her in the fight against cancer. Swagatika said she owes her strong will power to her father who despite all the obstacles, always wore a smile on his face. “I saw my father break down for the first time when the doctor confirmed it as cancer. But soon, he resolved to face the situation and encouraged me to be fearless. I never hid my illness after that. I chose to die smiling rather than waste the valuable gift of life by crying over a mere illness.”

She further said, “I believe till the time I don’t lose hope in myself, there is nothing that has the power to break me.” Swagatika’s determination at the face of death is an inspiration for many. “Being a cancer survivor is not important. What matters is the ability to inspire other survivors to optimistically go about it. I wanted to be an example that cancer fighters can relate to. This thought gave birth to Awaaken Cancer Care Trust. Gradually, people opened up and we received a gratifying response,” she informed. 

Swagatika feels people need to be educated with proper information. The taboos associated with the disease need to be removed and people should know that cancer is not a curse, rather an illness which is curable, she opined.

After successfully battling cancer, Swagatika is using the second innings of her life to give back to the society. She has been tirelessly working towards spreading awareness about diagnosing cancer in the initial stages. Recently, her team also conducted a cancer awareness campaign for transgenders as she feels they are a neglected section of the society. 

Swagatika draws power and strength from her deep desire to help others. Having found a purpose in life, she is now spearheading a change in the society’s attitude towards cancer. Her ability to defy the odds and come out victorious has surely instilled a ray of hope among cancer survivors.