Yuvraj Singh launches cancer screening drive

Kolkata, Dec 3 (IANS): Returning to international cricket after a brave battle against cancer, Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh Monday joined hands with a leading hospital here to launch a screening drive for early detection and cure for the dreaded disease.

A joint initiative of Yuvraj Singh Foundation’s YouWeCan and the Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital, it aims at screening, early detection and the appropriate treatment for cancer.

“YouWeCan is very close to my heart and I want it to grow. I believe all of us can join hands to save lives,” Yuvraj said at the launch.

Diagnosed with a stage-1 cancerous tumour in his left lung in 2011, Yuvraj had to undergo a rigorous chemotherapy regime in the US before making his international comeback in a Twenty20 match in September against New Zealand.

“It feels great to be playing again. My team, family and friends have been a huge support,” said Yuvraj.

The drive is aimed at screening one lakh people in the next six months.

“We will begin by screening one lakh people in the coming six months and gradually we will move on to more people,” said Rupali Basu of Apollo Gleneagles Cancer hospital.