Poonam Pandey’s recent controversial “fake death” stunt, aimed at raising awareness about cervical cancer, has taken an unexpected turn. The agency responsible for orchestrating the campaign, Schbang, has issued a public apology in the wake of widespread criticism.

In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, Schbang acknowledged their involvement in the initiative and extended apologies, especially to those who may have been triggered by personal experiences with cancer. The agency clarified that their intention was solely to elevate awareness about cervical cancer, citing alarming statistics in India. In 2022 alone, the country recorded 123,907 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 77,348 deaths. They emphasized that cervical cancer is the second-most common malignancy affecting middle-aged women in India after breast cancer.

Also Read: ‘Cervical cancer’ appeared in 500 headlines, says Poonam in her defence

 

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The post shed light on Poonam Pandey’s personal connection to the cause, revealing that her own mother had bravely battled cancer. Drawing attention to the criticality of awareness and prevention, the agency highlighted the impact of Poonam’s stunt, making ‘Cervical Cancer’ the most searched topic on Google and earning it over 1000+ headlines.

Expressing deep regret for any distress caused by their methods, Schbang clarified that the campaign was a pro-bono activity with no commercial links to any client. They emphasized the preventability of cervical cancer, citing the USCDC’s statistic that 93% of cases can have prevention through vaccination.

The statement concluded with an appeal for understanding, stating, “While we regret any distress caused, if the move results in spreading much-needed awareness and preventing deaths, that would be its real impact.” The agency expressed hope that the conversation sparked by Poonam’s stunt serves as a catalyst for raising life-saving awareness not only about cervical cancer but also about all preventable diseases.

Poonam Pandey initially announced her ‘death’ on her official Instagram handle on February 2, triggering a wave of reactions. However, just a day later on February 3, she revealed the stunt in a video, stating that it was a ploy to draw attention to the issue of cervical cancer.