The campaign for a modern cancer research institute and treatment centre in Kochi is gaining momentum, with its volunteers creating a Facebook page.
The social network page aimed to garner more public support will be launched formally on Saturday.
Mayor Tony Chammany and Deputy Mayor B Bhadra will jointly launch the page at a function to be held at Justice V R Krishna Iyer’s residence. The campaign headed by V R Krishna Iyer is backed by several supporters, including many from the film fraternity. Actors Mammootty and Innocent, also a cancer survivor, film producer Antony Mathew, director Aashiq Abu and actor-wife Rima Kallingal are full of support for the proposal.
Opposition leader V S Achuthanadan, who visited Justice Krishna Iyer in connection with his 99th birthday also announced his support for the cause.
Likewise, Ernakulam district panchayat recently passed a resolution to earmark a portion of the revenue of all local bodies to construct a cancer centre at Cochin Medical College. The Kochi Corporation council has also passed a resolution announcing support for the cancer centre.
The campaign, launched by actor Dileep last month, has intensified in just two weeks. We have been getting tremendous support. We are receiving a good response from the Malayalis abroad. Therefore, it has been decided to organise a function to launch the page formally,” said Dr N K Sanil Kumar, a volunteer of the movement.
The Facebook page on Kochi cancer centre has on display pictures and news on the movement. A modern cancer research institute and treatment centre is the need of the hour in Central Kerala and Kochi is the ideal location for it. The proposal is to set up the centre on 35 acres of land lying idle on the Cochin Medical College campus.