Zahid, our friend was diagnosed with leukemia in May 1997. It was a turning point in all of our lives, because someone close to us had been affected. Zahid had a successful bone marrow transplant in September 2000 with all our prayers and best wishes.

Eight years later, my brother, Boney was detected with lung cancer in May 2005 - the same day as Kylie Minogue as he laughingly reminds us. When the doctors told us that Boney had lung cancer, it was as if the world suddenly came to a stand still. No one individual is the centre of the Universe, but for our family - Boney is. It was a raw, gut wrenching anguish for my family. Our lives suddenly plunged in an abyss of darkness - we were in a limbo of nothingness and I knew that I needed to do something to give strength and courage to Boney, to fight and win this challenge.

I truly believe that Man makes his own destiny. I do not believe in astrology or luck and I am not a complete atheist, I do believe that there is a super power who keeps us humble. I am not ritualistic - God is too big to be wanting our prayers and offerings. I did not know what to do - I pumped up my confidence, squelched all my negative thoughts, snipped off all cords connected to pessimism, took stock of my strengths, organised my opportunities and refused to aim low and that is how DISHA was born.

I have realised how it feels when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer. I have seen through my brother the emotional roller coaster the patient feels he is riding on, the worries of supporting his family, the anguish of treatment, of being terrified of having a scan because you do not know what the results will be. I also know the value of research, because Research is not just required for treating those that have a disease, but more research is needed to prevent the disease.

This is a battle that we have to win. I need help to do this - I need your help.

Tara Chandramouli

Founder of Disha