Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, flagged off the walk attended by US Ambassador to India David C Mulford and his wife Jeannie, fashion designer Ritu Kumar and politician Brinda Karat. The walk was organised along a 3.5 km stretch, beginning from the Central Civil Services Sports Ground on Vinay Marg.

The Prime Minister’s wife expressed her desire to do all that she could to increase awareness about cancer.

She said her participation in the event was a way to tell people that besides medical attention, cancer patients need social, financial and emotional support. “This walk is a great way to reach out to people, and tell them that early detection can make all the difference in a cancer patient’s life,” she said.

The US Ambassador, whose wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, said the detection of early signs is very important in winning over cancer.

“This walk is important because it increases awareness. There are so many children here. They will become aware of the disease, and will, in turn, pass it on to more people. This would go a long way in combating the disease.”

His wife said she had a harrowing experience when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The death of her grandmother and aunt due to the disease had a lasting impact on her and she was determined to fight it. “Winning over cancer and emerging a survivor has been the best feeling¿ Something that cannot be explained in words,” she said.

She said cancer patients need emotional support and positive attitude to win over the disease.

“That is the message I want to spread through this walk,” she said.

Zenab, a six-year-old who lost her grandmother to brain cancer, said she not only wished to honour her grandmother, but wanted people to know that cancer can be fought with determination.