Harteij Bhartesh is a cancer survivor from Hyderabad who has used his never-give-up attitude to travel across India on his bike to raise awareness about his illness. In total, Bhartesh has travelled through around 15 states, visiting cancer hospitals and centres to motivate patients. He plans to cover the remaining states in the coming months with his fiancee, who is also a cancer survivor.
Bhartesh created the ‘Ride of Hope’ campaign, promoting the message that there is a life after cancer. He also founded an NGO called the Harteij Cancer Foundation.
Bhartesh was diagnosed with third-stage cancer at 23, with swelling on the right side of his neck. He delayed his chemotherapy for a year and completed his law degree from Delhi, only beginning treatment when his cancer progressed to stage four. His oncologist told him he had a 5% chance of survival due to the delayed treatment. Now, I always tell people that whenever you come across that you have cancer you should not delay the treatment, said Bhartesh.
Despite some of his friends withdrawing from supporting him during treatment, Bhartesh emphasised the importance of family in overcoming cancer. As a survivor, I understand what a cancer patient goes through. I have also become more calm and empathise with people, he said.
Bhartesh began the ‘Ride of Hope’ campaign on May 1, 2017, from Raipur, inspired by Terry Fox. He covered 15 states with the help of funding from friendly strangers, and now plans to complete the remaining 14 with his fiancee in January.
His elder brother, Shrot Bhartesh, described the family’s struggle to support Harteij through his last-stage cancer treatment. It was a battle, he could not win alone, so we all worked together, he said.
