(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Teenagers Chirag and Pratik, from two separate remote villages of India, had never met until a few days back at a hospital in Nagpur, where they were both undergoing treatment for blood cancer.
After undergoing treatment for almost two years, both the youngsters are now almost cancer-free and are recuperating well.
The duo - who were the first ever teenager cancer patients at Alexis Multispeciality Hospital in Nagpur, owned by UAE's Zulekha Healthcare Group - has been gifted an all-expenses-paid holiday package with their parents to Sharjah.
The trip is part of Zulekha Group's 'Realise Your Dreams' campaign to provide positive experiences and build memories for those who had been through traumatic and life-threatening situations.
The group has collaborated with Air Arabia and the Sharjah Tourism Authority to fund the five-day trip for both the courageous cancer survivors, which includes visiting some of the country's most iconic landmarks such as the Sharjah Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Noor Island, Sharjah Aquarium, the Cultural Museums and the Sharjah Art Foundation, the deserts surrounding the emirate and even the Global Village.
Talking to Khaleej Times, Pratik's father Khushal said: "It was the doctor's reassuring words that prevented me from breaking down. I cannot thank enough Dr Amol Dhongre at Alexis hospital who saved my son's life. I visited many doctors, and most of them scared us with either the disease or the huge cost that would be required but Dr Dhongre said the contrary. He said don't worry about the money, just get the kid the right treatment and follow it up."
Speaking to the media with confidence, Chirag, an undergraduate student at a college in Madhya Pradesh, said: "My greatest weapon against this disease was hope. I have always been very positive and hopeful in life. When the doctor told me I had cancer, it took me about an hour or two to believe him but not very long till I got back into my normal happy mood. I believe that every disease has a cure and if you are optimistic you can recover faster and better. Don't be scared of cancer or any disease, fight it with your positive attitude."
Chirag added: "Also I was lucky that Dr Dhongre is an extremely positive doctor and his words really bucked us up and helped us stay hopeful. In fact, he also helped us financially."
It was the first time both the boys and their fathers sat on an airplane and they couldn't believe their luck when they did. "I had always wanted to sit on the plane but never thought it would happen so fast. It feels like a fairytale where all my wishes are being granted. We are being treated so well in this beautiful country and are getting to see the star attractions of Sharjah, Dubai, and other emirates," Pratik said.
As a part of the trip, the families met with Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Dr Zulekha Daud, founder and chairperson of Zulekha Healthcare; Taher Shams, managing director of the group; Zanubia Shams, co-chairperson of Zulekha Healthcare Group and Shalini Rajan, head of sales, Air Arabia.
An excited Pratik added: "It is exciting to receive so much respect and gifts that we will take back along with fond memories to our families. The treatment and this experience has changed our perspective of life."
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