LEADERS IN HOME BASED
PALLIATIVE CARE
Caring for Cancer Patients since 1996
LEADERS IN HOME BASED
PALLIATIVE CARE
Caring for Cancer Patients since 1996
This year’s World Hospice & Palliative Care Day focuses on the promise made 10 years ago at the World Health Assembly (WHO’s Governing Body) calling on all countries to “strengthen palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course.” The goal is to achieve this promise within the next 5 years.
Given that 80% of the more than 60 million people, adults and children, who need palliative care services annually reside in low and middle-income countries, with less than 4% of the need being met, this is a tall order.
In India, it is estimated that roughly 5.4 million people need palliative care annually and less than 2% receive it. This is a dire statistic. Not only is access to palliative care in our country woefully inadequate but it is also heavily skewed in favour of urban centres and particular states. This must change as where you live should not condemn you to pain and suffering. Access to palliative care must not remain a luxury of the privileged few. It must be made available to those for whom it is the only life-line left to ensure a life of dignity.
On this World Hospice & Palliative Care Day I appeal to our policy makers to make palliative care an essential part of the health care system in our country so that every Indian with a serious life-limiting illness, young or old, woman or man, may access it when they need it and where they need it and thereby continue to live a life of quality
You, dear reader, can also play your part by committing your time and money, as a volunteer or as a donor, to CanSupport so that we can take our care, offered free of charge to those most in need, to the farthest corners of our great country in the next 5 years.
This is a mission worth pursuing and a promise worth keeping.
The new centre in Firozpur has become operational with support from Suri Seva Foundation. The team, comprising of Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Nurse Laviza Jacob, Counsellor Sourabh Kumar, and Happy Singh as the PRO cum Administration (Programs), has started working in the community. In Faridkot, they have aligned with Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and the District Hospital. The team has received commendable support from Prof. Pardeep Garg, Head Radiation Oncology at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and we are thankful for his assistance. Through the continued efforts, the team has been able to serve and onboard 36 patients thus far. They are striving to bring care to more patients in need by expanding the reach and help them benefit from the services we provide.
The Lancet Oncology, a monthly journal covering international issues relevant to clinical cancer specialists worldwide, has featured Harmala Gupta on the cover of their Volume 26, Issue 10 for October. The recognition is a highlight as the periodical for clinical oncology provides high-quality original research, reviews, and commentary and it celebrates her significant contribution to continually advancing palliative care and services in the nation.
Scan for the
Full Issue
July – September 2025
The patients, their caregivers and families continue to receive compassionate care and guidance from the Home Care teams.
We are extremely excited to have launched another Day Care in Delhi at our North Area Centre. Started in July, the numbers of patients and caregivers have almost doubled and the weekly Thursday sessions have been seeing enthusiastic participation. Getting to engage in ‘Laughter Therapy’ and other creatively stimulating activities, the attendees have expressed thankfulness for the comfort and care they have been receiving from the volunteers and our staff.
Please connect if you, or someone you know, would like to
participate in, volunteer or support the sessions.
101-103, 1st Floor, Classic Complex, Sector 5, Rohini 93159 05156
Tanisa Foundation organised a movie screening for 80 patients and their caregivers who are in CanSupport’s care. They had arranged for a Bollywood movie’s screening at a multiplex and the excursion was well managed. The attendees enjoyed the film and had an overall fun time at the cinema getting to simply relax.
The younger patients and their caregivers came up with imaginative stories based on their own experiences and enacted them with varied props in a session conducted by members of the ‘Storytelling Club’ which was a liberating activity for all.
A Magic Show was put on at Safdarjung Hospital for children suffering from cancer which all of them thoroughly enjoyed. Their caregivers were moved to see their young ones simply having fun forgettting about the disease in those moments.
The Community Outreach and Awareness teams have been working in varied local communities to promote the free-of-charge services CanSupport offers and spread the word about palliative care and the essential role it can play in not just the patient’s journey but the caregivers’ as well.
The Pune team visited the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Parinche Village in Purandhar district for a cancer screening camp conducted by Maharshtra State Health Unit where they interacted with the medical officer and the screening team and introduced our services to the ASHA workers.
Haryana, a program for the Community Outreach Officers was organised at Baland village in Rohtak where our team met with the anganwadi workers and helpers. They were encouraged to spread awareness about cancer and palliative care and how the locals can benefit from taking action against use of tobacco and giving up other ill habits.
In Julani village in Jind, the Community Outreach Officer visited the health centre and met with the ASHA workers to share how they can assist their community further by referring them for our services.
We are humbled to have been recognised with the ‘Mahatma Award for Healthcare Excellence 2025.’ Harmala Gupta, Founder-President and Dr. Ambika Rajvanshi, CEO received the award from Guest of Honour, Mr. A. Annamalai, Director/Secretary, National Gandhi Museum and Amit Sachdeva, Gandhian and Indian Lawyer, more famously known as the ‘CSR Man of India.’ Radhika Shapoorjee, Honorary Secretary; Vishal Sood, Honorary Member of CanSupport’s Managing Committee and NS Anand, Head of PR & Marketing also attended the event.
Such recognition keeps us motivated to continue to strive for our vision of building a more caring and supportive society where people with cancer and other serious illnesses, and their families live with dignity, hope and comfort.
Remembrance Day was observed at the Pritpal Healing Garden, MTMH Cancer Hospital, Jamshedpur, in collaboration with the Suri Seva Foundation. The event brought together family members and caregivers of patients who had been under CanSupport’s care. Participants expressed their emotions through heartfelt messages and shared cherished memories of their loved ones.
In Delhi, the East Zone congregation took place at the Centenary Methodist Church, where families of patients supported by us came together to honour and remember those who have passed on. The attendees paid tribute by lighting lamps, writing personal notes, and sharing special moments, creating a moving atmosphere of remembrance and connection.
The talented young artists from Music Factory organised ‘Youth in Concert: Fundraiser for CanSupport’ in collaboration with The Piano Man, Saket, creating a memorable afternoon dedicated to music and compassion. Their spirited performances not only captivated the audience but also helped raise significant awareness and funds in support of our mission. We deeply appreciate their enthusiasm, generosity, and the meaningful partnership that made this event a success.
“I wanted to share a heartfelt update regarding my wife’s health and the support we’ve been receiving from CanSupport.
Her life was nothing but filled with pain. The kind of pain caused by the tumor was indescribable. She had become completely bedridden and was unable to even sit up or eat by herself so we got her admitted to Apollo Hospital. Despite everything, the core issue, which was the unbearable pain, remained. We were disheartened that there was no way we could resolve the root cause. It was then when I reached out to the CanSupport team, and Dr. Sanjay spoke to me. He suggested switching to morphine along with some supportive medicines, like laxatives and analgesic for pain spikes. He also gave us a clear dosage plan. The entire team then visited our home, provided the necessary medicines, and helped us get started.
Thanks to their support, there has been reduction in her pain. Whenever the morphine supply gets low, I inform the team and they promptly come to help. It is something we can’t get from regular medical stores, so their help is truly a lifeline. They provide us all the services free of charge which is definitely a blessing. Along with Dr. Sanjay, Sister Kamla and Ms. Sonia stay in touch regularly, calling to check in on my wife’s condition and asking if we need anything.
I truly want to thank CanSupport for their assistance as it is making a big difference in this difficult time.”
– For South Area Team, Delhi from a caregiver
“With deep sorrow, we inform you that Mrs. Savita Tandon left us for the heavenly abode in the early hours of the morning. In her last days, your support, guidance, and compassionate care gave us the strength to keep her comfortable and free from unnecessary suffering. We are deeply grateful to you and your entire team for walking with us during this difficult journey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
– For Faridabad Team 2 from Rajnish & Seema Virmani
CanSupport was invited to participate as a panelist at the seminar titled, “Aging with Cancer – The Silver Edge,” organised by the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi branch, as part of Cancer Sahyog 2025, their annual seminar. Held at the India International Centre, the event explored various dimensions of cancer and the challenges faced by patients. Dr. Mohan contributed a short film for the Creative Video competition, while Anamika Pandey represented CanSupport on the panel, offering insightful perspectives on the subject.
As the Military Nursing Service (MNS) marked a century of dedicated service, a special seminar was organised at the RVC Centre and College for the students and faculty of the medical college. The event was graced by Maj Gen Lisamma PV, ADGMNS, as the Chief Guest, along with Brigadier Vikram Patra and Dr. Lipika Patra. CanSupport was invited to lead a scientific session on Geriatric and Palliative Care at the Military Hospital, Meerut, where Dr. Ravinder Mohan and Anamika Pandey shared their insights and experiences, introducing the principles and practices of palliative care to an engaged audience.
The team organised a half-day Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) workshop under the Delhi IAPC Chapter at the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), AIIMS. The session was graced by Dr. Daisy Thomas, Principal of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing, Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Centered around the theme ‘Nursing Procedure Demonstrations,’ the workshop brought together 50 participants who had the opportunity to learn from expert nurses, making it an engaging and enriching learning experience.
An article titled ‘Strategies to Enhance Palliative Care Access in Rural Populations and Increase Awareness of Life-Limiting Illnesses in India: A Scoping Review’ by Dr. Ishita Gandhi, Director, Palliative Medicine, CanSupport, in collaboration with Hùng Phan Hữu, Researcher, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, HCMC, Vietnam, has been published in the Journal of Cancer Policy (Vol. 45, 2025).
The paper explores strategies to improve palliative care delivery and community awareness in rural India, addressing key challenges in end-of-life healthcare access.
CanSupport was invited to participate in an international research study led by Prof. Cherith Semple, examining ways to better support families living in deprivation when an adult caregiver of dependent children (under 18 years) faces end-of-life cancer. Anamika Pandey represented CanSupport in an online interview during the qualitative research phase. Her contributions aim to help shape more inclusive and responsive care frameworks for vulnerable families coping with cancer and caregiving challenges.
The study explores several key themes, including:
CanSupport continues to provide enriching internship opportunities for students from international universities and colleges, offering them a deep and meaningful engagement with palliative care in India.
Rohan Puri, a pre-medical student from the United States, recently completed a month-long internship, where he gained first-hand exposure to both the Day Care and Home Care programs. Drawing from his experiences, he has proposed a focused ethnographic study titled “Understanding Palliative Care and Patient Support within CanSupport: A Focused Ethnographic Study in a Low-Income Urban Setting,” under the guidance of Dr. Ishita Gandhi. His study aims to employ naturalistic observation across outpatient clinics, daycare units, and home care visits to document the lived experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in low-resource settings. By exploring the emotional and social dimensions of care, the research aspires to contribute valuable insights that will help strengthen patient-centered palliative care models both in India and globally, particularly for underserved communities.
Staff members from ALKEM Foundation, the social arm of ALKEM Laboratories Limited, visited the CanSupport head office to partake in Day Care sessions wherein they interacted with attendees and the volunteers to experience how different activities facilitate the patients and the caregivers in our care.
Gaurav Agarwal, a Tata employee, conducted a session for program administration officers and staff as part of the ProEngage training series. Curated by the Tata Sustainability Group, this initiative connects skilled professionals with non-profits through weekend projects to help strengthen their capacity and sustainability.
The employees at Adobe Noida enjoyed a refreshing session with the Jalvayu Vihar Community Centre (JVCC) Laughter Club. The event began with an introduction to our mission and the free-of-charge services we offer, followed by gentle breathing and stretching exercises. The session concluded with mindfulness and positivity activities, leaving participants relaxed and rejuvenated.
Staff members at Optum Global Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd, Gurugram came together with great enthusiasm for the ‘Toy for Joy’ activity, crafting handmade soft toys for the young patients in our Day Care program. The participants poured creativity and warmth into their creations, and their efforts were rewarded with the bright, beaming smiles of the children who received these heartfelt gifts.
Cansupport Employee ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
CanSupport has been organising Employee Engagement activities with corporate entitities since 2018.
You can also get an activity organised for your employees/staff where they can participate in fun yet meaningful engagements with our employees or cancer patients in our care or we can hold a session for them.
For further details: Call 9818566052 or write to inst.relations@cansupport.org
As a multi-business chemical conglomerate, SRF Limited supports CanSupport under its Corporate Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
SRF Limited has helped in expansion of our services, such as contributing to the establishment of a new home care team for the South Area Centre in Delhi which allows us to reach and assist even more cancer patients and their families.
Partnering with us, they have contributed towards Community Awareness campaign as well as funding the Mobile Palliative Care Clinic (MPCC) which provided free-of-charge services to patients from Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital and Delhi State Cancer Institute – West. Additionally, they have provided in-kind support as well as funding in form of tangible contribution and for aiding procurement of goods or services. The staff members at the Gurugram premises have also participated in ‘Toy for Joy’ as part of their Employee Engagement wherein they created stuffed toys for the younger Day Care attendees.
We sincerely acknowledge SRF Limited’s steadfast belief in our mission and look forward to continuing bringing warm and compassionate care to those who require it the most with backing such as theirs.
CanSupport continues to provide enriching internship opportunities for students from international universities and colleges, offering them a deep and meaningful engagement with palliative care in India.
Rohan Puri, a pre-medical student from the United States, recently completed a month-long internship, where he gained first-hand exposure to both the Day Care and Home Care programs. Drawing from his experiences, he has proposed a focused ethnographic study titled “Understanding Palliative Care and Patient Support within CanSupport: A Focused Ethnographic Study in a Low-Income Urban Setting,” under the guidance of Dr. Ishita Gandhi. His study aims to employ naturalistic observation across outpatient clinics, daycare units, and home care visits to document the lived experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in low-resource settings. By exploring the emotional and social dimensions of care, the research aspires to contribute valuable insights that will help strengthen patient-centered palliative care models both in India and globally, particularly for underserved communities.
VOLUNTEER WITH CANSUPPORT
Our dedicated volunteers form the backbone of our mission. Being one, you can support our day care team with the sessions or assist in organising awareness and fundraising events. You can also offer your skills in areas like content creation, administration, or creative projects.
If you have some spare time, please consider joining us. No special skill is required and everyone can contribute with a precious donation of their time for the cause.
Get in touch: Navdha Bharadwaj | navdha@cansupport.org | 9599558368⠀
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For directly supporting us:
CanSupport Helpline Numbers:011-41010539 /9899011212, Monday to Saturday – 9 am to 6 pm
Saath Saath National Palliative Care Helpline:1800-202-7777. Monday to Saturday – 10 am to 6 pm
We are a society registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 and Section 12A of the Indian Income Tax Act.
Indian Individuals: Depending on the support programme chosen, your donation is 50% tax exempt under Section 80G of the IT Act.
