For the man who has led hundreds of drug abuse victims out of darkness, there's barely a reason to fear cancer or heart blockages. The youngsters Dr Yusuf Merchant has been treating, shocked by his illness, sent him all their wishes after he underwent a bypass surgery last week.

Dr Merchant left around 29 youngsters in shock last week as he broke the news of his heart blockage to them. His patients, attending a de-addiction programme at a rehabilitation centre in Kalyan, got their first hint when the doctor began calling them in batches at his home in Crawford Market for their therapy sessions instead of travelling to Kalyan.

Founder president of Drug Abuse Information, Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC), the 63-year-old informed his patients of his prostate cancer six months ago and the subsequent radiation treatment that he was undergoing. He was recently diagnosed with a heart blockage and underwent successful bypass surgery. However, as a thorough professional, he called for a meeting at Radio Club a week before his surgery with more than 60 people — currently undergoing therapy and some who have successfully undergone the de-addiction programme in the past — in attendance. Dr Merchant explained to them in detail about his health issues and even made arrangements by introducing a counsellor, Nabila Ankolvi, who will take care of the patients in his absence.