Chennai: Hundreds of people in Chennai on August 16 participated in a "Freedom from Cancer Walk" to spread awareness about cancer.

Celebrities and television stars along with dozens of school children carrying placards and banners marched through the streets.

Former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth from the lawns of "The Friends of Cancer Institute" flagged off the walk. "I always feel that people like us, the least we could do is create an awareness by participating in these activities," said Srikkanth.

The enthusiastic people carried placards and banners on cancer. The walk was organised as part of the institute's new project "Iruvadhu Vadai Iruvadhu" (20 to 20) to raise funds for cancer research and treatment of patients.

"The whole project is primarily for cancer education awareness but more importantly is for raising funds. We are a charitable voluntary organisation. Patients come to us from all sections of society. We do not differentiate between the rich and the poor," said Shanta, a senior doctor at the Cancer Institute.

The 30 celebrities who participated in the walk also took a pledge to support the institute and promote awareness about the deadly disease among the people.

Each year hundreds of people gather for similar walks all over the country. According to an estimate at any point of time there are about 2.5 million cancer patients in India.

At least 400,000 die of the disease every year. Experts say 60 per cent of the deaths occur due to ignorance and lack of proper treatment.

ANI