She beat cancer with mind

AMINA YUSRA -

Muscat, April14 -

Volunteering for the Oman Cancer Association has taught me a great deal. Working for them has helped me meet some amazing people. These people who help the children with cancer and families of these kids at Dar al Hanan. The volunteers, which includes, me have also dedicated to serve and help for this cause.

The Association is filled with generosity, kind and amazing people. Few days back I met someone who has inspired me in ways more than one.

She is Doaa Elseoud, a breast cancer survivor.

When I first met Doaa, she had this charm and generosity that I could hardly understand. This intrigued me. It was confusing and yet magical. She is a warm friendly girl ready to take life as it comes. As I sat next to her and as she made a cup of tea for herself at the kitchen counter, I could not help but notice how strong she was from within.

Chatting with her revealed the inner self that she is made of. She says “the society perceives women with cancer to give up on life by just staying in bed” which is very wrong. By living her life she wants to convey to the world that living life positively and taking good care is all that is required.

Having cancer doesn’t stop her from living her life to the fullest. Always smiling, I noticed how much she has to give the world and how such beautiful people live and make others lives better. She says, gratitude is the key to all happiness.

And I totally agree with that.

Born in Egypt, she has been working as a flight attendant for the past few years and volunteering hard for the cause. At the age of 31 when she was diagnosed with cancer she did not give up any day ever since knowing this. She rolled up her boots, started her treatment and has been actively participating in spreading the awareness of the epidemic.

She has lost a lot of her hair due to chemotherapy. However, this has not put her down in any way. In fact she believes it is trendy and makes no difference to her. In fact to me she looks beautiful.

Cancer is a disease once diagnosed that causes a young woman’s life to come to a standstill. But not for people like Doaa. She is living a normal life as any other woman. In fact she keeps herself active by doing a bit of modelling and spreading the positive message of cancer across social media especially Instagram and her blogs online.

In fact she is a living example that even cancer patients are normal, living normal lives and blessed everyday to survive. She knows that she needs to start with herself to see the change around her and as I truly believe so and will always do, such people are living examples of strength and are truly superheroes.

As I sat in her apartment talking to her, I noticed how warm and calm it was just like her. She made me feel at home. Ever-inspiring girl that you are , I look forward to working with you in the future. Stay blessed Doaa.

(The writer is a blogger and volunteers social service for various organisations)