Dr. Arati Deo

Cancer is the second most leading cause of death in the world. Our first reaction to cancer patients and their relatives is instinctively commiseration and sympathy. A large part of our conversations that revolve around cancer include stories about cancer survivors and circumstantial wonders. We seldom hear stories about those who have succumbed to cancer, they’re usually too sick to tell them. The stories of those who have passed on, often pass away with them. However, these are the stories that need to be told and remembered right alongside with those who have survived this malady. These are the stories that inspire change, the ones that fill us up with courage and life- altering questions. These are the stories about cancer warriors.

Dr. Arati Deo was one such cancer warrior. Arati was diagnosed with terminal stage, peritoneal cancer in the warm July of 2013. With a heavy heart but a strong will, Arati along with her husband, Ravi decided to explore their options to combat this illness. Professional oncologists told them that she was on a ticking clock, that she had a lifespan of about 2.5 years thereafter. The Deo couple was determined to go to all lengths to give Arati best of what was remaining of her life. Eventually, they decided to start a course of two treatments simultaneously, one being chemotherapy and the other being Rasayu Cancer Clinic’s (RCC’s) Ayurvedic Rasayan Therapy. While chemotherapy was going to kill and stop the growth of new cancerous cells, it was also going to kill healthy individual cells in the process. Rasayan therapy was going to prevent the death of normal healthy cells caused due to chemotherapy, as well as regulate the cell cycle of cancerous cells resulting in their natural death rather than killing them off. The Deo couple had immense faith in the Ayurvedic approach and decided to opt for this dual treatment course. After undergoing 6 heavy cycles of chemotherapy, one surgery and Rasayan therapy, Arati lived a highly improved quality of life. Not only did she live a comparatively healthier and peaceful life, but about thrice longer than what her life span was expected to be. Arati passed away in the December of 2020 after living a whole life of 7 years post diagnosis.

Being a stoic individual and a loving force of nature, Arati always used to find one or the other way to help people in whichever way she could. Until her last few days, she was treating patients and relieving them of their ailments, keeping her own secondary. Arati always used to talk about how she would like to ease the pain and improve survival of her fellow cancer warriors. To support Arati in her dream, Ravi along with their son, Rohan and Arati’s beloved family decided to raise funds in her name.

Having experienced the ease of administration, patient- friendly approach and affordability in cancer care, Arati’s family has decided to come forward with RCC to lend out a helping hand to many such cancer warriors. Arati ignited the flame of RCC’s first official venture, ‘The Giving’ to help and support cancer patients. On the occasion of Arati’s birthday, the Deo family has decided to give back to cancer warriors by helping them in care coordination as well as affordability. RCC and the Deo family have come together to expedite care to more patients and empower them with the information they need to choose the best treatment modalities for themselves. From volunteering to raising funds, there are plenty of ways to bolster our cancer warriors here at RCC