It was only last month that Aparna Wilson discovered her father Anil Wilson, former principal of St Stephen’s College, had pancreatic cancer. In December last year, Wilson had complained of stomach ache, and when pains did not subside and additional tests were done, it was confirmed that he had cancer of pancreas that has spread to the liver and bones. Doctors have ruled out surgery and the family has now turned to prayers, hoping for a miracle.Aparna has even sent out e-mails to friends and acquaintances urging them to forward it to others so people can pray for Wilson’s recovery.“He has been very brave about it,” she said over the phone late Friday evening. “We are hoping for a miracle.” Aparna said when she first broke the news to him, Wilson didn’t falter — he took it in his stride, “as he has done with every other challenge”.While the family is looking for support and prayers, Wilson, 61, is willing to volunteer for any clinical trials for research in the field of pancreatic cancer. Aparna said it would also help if survivors who had battled the rare form of cancer could reach out to the family. “It would greatly boost our morale. We are also looking for any alternative medicines that have helped pancreatic cancer patients survive.”A well-wisher from the faculty at St Stephen’s said they were all praying for Wilson, currently undergoing second session of chemotherapy. Syed Burhanur Rahman, a former student of St Stephen’s, said he was shocked to hear the news. He has always admired Wilson for his humour, and memories of Eid celebrations at Wilson’s residence are still fresh in his mind. “He once served sewai on the occasion and the taste still lingers,” Rahman said. “I will pray for him; he was always very helpful.”Rahman said he will reach out to other students through the social networking site facebook and is hopeful many more will join in the prayers.A lecturer in English, Wilson was the principal of St Stephen’s from 1991 to 2007.
