Mumbai, Mar 11 (ANI): It was a moment of joy and excitement for kids with dwindling hopes of surviving into adulthood.

Bollywood stars Preity Zinta and Salman Khan mingled with kids suffering from cancer here, and distributed bravery awards to them.

The awards were given away at the coveted C.N Wadia Gold Cup Million Trophy function.

Forgetting their affliction for a moment, the children jived to lively Bollywood music.

Salman Khan said they deserved the awards.

“I have come here to encourage these kids, because when we suffer from minor ailments like cough and cold, we feel uneasy and get depressed. But, these kids are afflicted with cancer which is a very serious disease. Nobody can fight a bigger battle than this, said Salman.

Approximately 11 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year and around seven million people die of the dreaded disease.

Common forms of cancer lung cancer, throat cancer and blood cancer. While breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women.

Some of the major reasons for cancer are intake of tobacco, alcohol along with environment pollution and sedentary life style.

An estimated 700,000 new cancer cases are reported in India annually and over 350,000 people die of it every year. (ANI)

• Salman Khan
• Preity Zinta