V Shanta
Overview
 
Dr.V. Shanta is a prominent Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

 specialist and the Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute
Adyar Cancer Institute
Adyar Cancer Institute is a cancer specialty hospital situated in the city of Chennai, India; founded by Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy on June 18, 1954. Land was donated by Mr. S.K.Puniyakoti Mudaliar.-Several firsts:...

, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...

. Her career which spans over 50 years has been dedicated to organising care for cancer patients, and intensive research in the prevention and cure of the disease. Her work has been widely acknowledged with several awards including the Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...

, and Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...

.

She has been associated with Adyar Cancer Institute since 1955, and has held several key positions, including its Director between 1980-1997.
Quotations

"If we have grown, it is because of the grace of God, and our faith in our mission,".

"The journey has been long. I don't see an end to it, simply because our work is never ending. What we have done is very little. There is much more to do. The journey has been arduous, with bricks and stones and occasional flowers strewn in between, but we continue…"

"When the sick approach the gates of the Institute, weak in body and spirit, and full of fear, there is only one response, you have to become part of them"

"Every obstacle I have overcome, every patient I have cured, every child I have treated who has grown, got married and come back to see me with his/her children have made my whole life memorable."

 
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