Riding for a cause

Harteij Bhartesh, who hails from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, is a cancer survivor. He visited Hyderabad three years ago for blood cancer treatment. He informs that he was in the last stage of cancer and Hyderabad gave him a new lease of life as he got treated here. Post-treatment he completely dedicated his new life to the society and is running a campaign called ‘Ride of Hope’.

And as part of the campaign he has travelled 20,000 km across the country on his bike to create awareness against cancer. He annually visits hundreds of patients personally and he instantly arranges blood for those suffering from blood cancer for free of cost. He also runs a helpline number for patients and tells them how to overcome the deadly disease. Currently, he is working in an MNC in Hyderabad.

“I was studying final year of law in 2013 from Amity University, Noida, when I was diagnosed with the third stage of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is a type of blood cancer originating from lymphocytes. I found a swelling on the right side of my neck. I started taking some kind of treatment. However, almost 6 to 7 months later the swelling was persistent. I underwent a biopsy in Hyderabad, and that time I got to know that I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.”

Bhartesh delayed his chemotherapy sessions for eight months to complete his graduation and he also attended convocation. After that, he started his treatment in May 2014 in Hyderabad. Bhartesh recovered by December that year. “I should have started the treatment earlier but I knew studies would take a backseat so with a lot of determination I continued my graduation course. However, in hindsight, I feel that it was not a right step which I had taken. Now I urge people to start their treatment as soon as possible.”

Bhartesh shares that he had a tough time while undergoing chemotherapy. “I lost a lot of weight and a lot of hair and even my eyebrows.” Soon after the recovery, in 2015 he started cycling, yoga, gym, and has also taken part in marathons. “I started applying for jobs too; however, many companies told me that the job might be so stressful for a cancer patient. So in 2016, I came back to Raipur and I decided to ride for cancer awareness.

And with the support of family and friends on May 1, 2016, I started ‘Ride of Hope’ campaign from Raipur. Since then I have travelled through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh and concluded my journey in Raipur.

Bhartesh joins hands with bikers' clubs in each city he visits. He covered 22 cities around 20,000km in five months. Then he came back to Hyderabad in 2017. Speaking about his Ride of Hope campaign he says, “I counsel many cancer patients around cities. I used to annually visit hundreds of patients personally and also arrange blood instantly for those suffering from blood cancer. I want to tell people that cancer can be conquered. I encourage them by saying that there is no need to be afraid of chemotherapy and you will be fine after the treatment.”

Sharing about his experience during the ride says, “I got one message from a cancer survivor from Lahore who asked me to travel to Lahore and campaign there as well. And in another interaction, I met a little girl, who was barely three years old and was suffering from cancer. She asked her mother if I was also a cancer patient. She asked me to take her to an amusement park after completion of her treatment. Many fellow patients feel stronger after hearing my tale and pour their hearts out.”

“I want to tell the world that cancer is curable. The motto behind my campaign is to make cancer patients comfortable; they can call me whenever they want. Reach me through any social networking site. I know how it feels to be left out and as long as I am here I will keep supporting the people who are undergoing this. And also if they need blood I will provide for them anywhere they are,” he adds. Hariteij recently got selected for True Wanderer ride along with one more person from Hyderabad. The roadmap for the ride will be declared on May 10 and on May 12 they will start their ride from Hyderabad.

By Heena Mishra