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Vivek Oberoi celebrates Rose Day

September 23, 2004 18:13 IST

Vivek Oberoi was at the Apollo Specialty Hospital in Chennai on September 22 -- the day that is celebrated as Rose Day annually -- to cheer cancer patients and give them roses.

He showed a lot of warmth by hugging and kissing children, and then went on to talk to other patients who are battling the dreaded disease.

"I have been working with cancer patients for more than three years now," he said.

The actor added that his mother Yasodhara, who works tirelessly with cancer patients in Mumbai, was his inspiration.

He inaugurated the Toy Bank by contributing a teddy bear. The Toy Bank is an initiative of the hospital to bring smiles back to young patients at the hospital. Soon after Vivek inaugurated the Toy Bank, many enthusiastic hospital employees and well-wishers came forward and donated new and old toys.

Apollo Specialty Hospital announced the launch of the Apollo Heart Foundation which allows cancer patients to 'make a wish to meet a celebrity.' The Foundation will see to it that their wishes are fulfilled.

The Foundation will also provide financial assistance towards treatment of children who are from economically weak backgrounds, and are suffering from leukemia.

Vivek also spread smiles to cancer patients in Mumbai, with sweetheart Aishwarya Rai on September 21.

Another celebrity who visited the cancer patients at Chennai's Apollo Hospital was Tamil actor, Vijay [inset, left].

Text: Shobha Warrier