Calcutta: Yuvraj Singh had an ordinary IPL (for Kings XI Punjab) and hasn't worn the India Blue for almost a year, but the 36-year-old isn't brooding.
Far from it.
Instead, Yuvraj has been focusing on aggressively promoting YouWeCan, which comes under the umbrella of his Foundation, and really does a world of good through cancer-related initiatives.
Significantly, Yuvraj is in his 18th year as an India cricketer. He'll always be remembered for the stellar role played during India's successful campaign in the inaugural World T20 (2007) and in the 2011 World Cup.
Yuvraj spoke to The Telegraph from his Chandigarh residence on Saturday evening, soon after landing in his hometown.
At Yuvraj's request, no questions on cricket were asked.
Excerpts...
Q It appears that YouWeCan is now taking up much of your time...
A Well, I need to keep myself busy when I'm not playing cricket. Besides, I do need to figure out what to do in life once I'm through with cricket... Engaging in charity gives a sense of direction to my life, there's also peace of mind. I get both by devoting time to YouWeCan, the charity and the brand.
Q You launched YouWeCan in 2012, after recovering from cancer... How has this journey been?
A Very interesting and I've personally learnt a lot. This period has also been one of trying to find ways and means to help raise funds for YouWeCan as the funds help some of those in need... Sadly, stigma is still attached with cancer and many find the cost of treatment prohibitive. That is something which needs to be addressed. What do you tell a person who comes and says he can't afford treatment?
Q Will the cost ever come down?
A I hope so... Research has been on for decades, so there's hope for faster and cheaper cure. Chemotherapy is prescribed, but it takes a lot out of the body, killing even the good cells together with the bad ones. I hope a day comes when either injections and/or tablets replace chemotherapy. Believe me, that would be a game-changer... I don't wish to alarm anybody, but chemotherapy may get traumatic and one needs a very supportive family and friends... Because good cells also get killed, one isn't sure how the body will hold up. Mental strength is called for.
Q How long did it take you to overcome the fear of a relapse?
A In the first few years after 2012, I did think about the possibility of an organ failing, but not after that. Generally, it's said that once the first five years post the treatment are over, then one is safe. Touch wood, I've completed six.
Q Faith or luck or the good wishes of millions... What made you beat cancer?
A All three, I guess. This has been a tough one to answer. Bottom line is that you need to believe in yourself, have the belief that you can and will win.
Q Recently, you received the 'Most Inspiring Icon Of The Year' award from the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival. What do such awards mean?
A I've always called upon those diagnosed with cancer to see me as an example of somebody who fought the illness. Cancer can be defeated... If I'm seen as an inspiration, then it is very humbling... The award, I think, was to be presented during the IPL, but I wasn't free at that point in time. So, I received the award after the tournament got over.
Q From what I can make out, working with kids who have cancer is a passion for you. What was Wednesday's event in Mumbai all about?
A Nickelodeon launched Rudra, their first Indian animated character, and the launch was in the presence of 50 kids from St Jude India Child Care Centre. The event was in partnership with YouWeCan. I was delighted to spend time with the kids.
Q Talking of kids... YouWeCan funds the education of some of them. Does the sponsorship/funding end with school?
A It depends, no. I'm not sure of the exact number we're currently supporting, once they've been cured of cancer, but I'd certainly like the number to grow.
Q YouWeCan launched its YWC fashion line in the latter half of 2016 and its sports gear range this year. What next?
A Up next is the YWC fashion jewellery line... A percentage of the sales proceeds from every YWC merchandise goes towards YouWeCan and funds our initiatives. Introducing merchandise was a conscious decision aimed at creating a revenue generating arm... The YWC fashion line, in particular, is aspirational and rests on my motto of Live, Dare & Inspire. Both the sports gear range and the fashion line are available offline and online. I can confidently say that the YWC patrons will vouch for the quality of our products. I wouldn't be the one to encourage compromising with quality.
[According to Shazmeen Kara, YouWeCan's CEO, "in-house designers" will be creating the range of fashion jewellery. Currently, the sports gear range is limited to cricket, but plans are afoot to target a couple of other disciplines, Shazmeen informed.]
Q One more... Your message to those battling cancer...
A (Emotionally) Prepare yourself to overcome the stiffest hurdle... Believe that you can defeat cancer... Never give up hope and, maybe, look at me as an example of somebody who left cancer behind... One's inner strength will come out... There's life after cancer, just as there will be life after cricket once I'm done with the sport.
