World Cancer Day 2023: Top CSR projects catering to cancer patients in India

Cancer is a disease which is still giving a major challenge to medical science globally in terms of timely detection and complete cure. Also, treatment for cancer costs a bomb. To help fund the treatment of cancer including their counseling and adequate nutrition, to offer a better life to cancer patients, to spread awareness around unhealthy lifestyle practices and the need for regular check up and early detection, a lot of Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR initiatives are regularly undertaken in India.

World Cancer Day is observed globally on the 4th of February every year, which was last week. The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day marks the second year of the campaign ‘Close the care gap’ which is about understanding the inequities in cancer care and taking actions to make the necessary progress to address them. On this occasion, The CSR Journal takes a look into some of the top CSR initiatives undertaken for cancer patients in India in the last one year.

CSR of SBI General Insurance for children with cancer

On World Cancer Day, 4th Februrary 2023, SBI General announced that it has joined hands with Cuddles Foundation to support pediatric cancer patients. SBI General Insurance supports the Food Heals Program by Cuddles Foundation in Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre for pediatric patients in Madurai.

The program aims to provide counselling, diet planning, caregiver support, nutritional meals and supplements to 250 pediatric cancer patients for a duration of 3 months. On World Cancer Day, a team from SBI General visited these kids on behalf of the Company and spent the day with them.

This programme also aims to provide caregiver support to patient families with the knowledge to make healthier food choices by organising parent support group meetings, videos and educational talks and more.

Pfizer India’s support to cancer care programs

On World Cancer Day 2023, Pfizer India announced that it has been able to reach over 6,00,000 beneficiaries through partnerships with various institutions in India for cancer care programs. Pfizer India shared that they have collaborated with almost a dozen leading institutions such as Tata Trusts, Doctors for You, Impacct Foundation -Tata Memorial Hospital (supporting pediatric cancer care), CanSupport, V-Care and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai for capacity building and support for HCPs, patients and caretakers.

The company has introduced different CSR programs to address key touch points of cancer treatment such as – patient support and navigation helpdesks, toll free numbers for patients, early detection, cancer prevention and improving access and affordability to cancer care and treatment, they shared. Pfizer’s current oncology portfolio covers treatments and therapies for a range of cancers including breast, lung, genitourinary, and hematology, they announced.

Infiniti Mall’s support to little cancer survivors

Mumbai’s premier shopping, food and entertainment destination – Infiniti Mall hosted young cancer survivors from Tata Memorial Pediatric Cancer Care Centre during the Christmas and New Years week. The Mall organized a fun filled day for them with a wide range of enjoyable and engaging activities, as per an announcement. The children had a pleasant time at Bounce, the enormous indoor action adventure park at Infiniti Mall. Alongside, children also participated in thrilling games and rides at Fun City as well as the delightful Christmas Carnival organized by Infiniti Mall.

HOPE 2022

In December, 2022 Sheila Gopal Raheja Foundation, a do good vision of K Raheja Realty announced that they are taking a step forward towards cancer care by associating with Tata Memorial Hospital & IMPACCT Foundation for ‘HOPE 2022’.

‘HOPE’, a theme-based annual event organized by the IMPACCT Foundation reportedly manages the cure and treatment of young children suffering from cancer along with Tata Memorial Hospital. ‘Friendship’ was the theme for 2022 and the event witnessed over 200 children who have conquered the disease with their unceasing courage.

DLF Foundation’s cancer screening camp

DLF Foundation announced in December, 2022 that they have hosted a cancer screening camp for underserved communities at the Family Health Center in Gwal Pahari in Gurugram. This initiative is part of their mission to develop sustainable healthcare and social welfare programs focused on underprivileged demographics across the Delhi-NCR. For this outreach endeavour, DLF Foundation partnered with Adharshila and Tanisa Foundation to provide expert testing and screening facilities at the grassroot level.

‘During the camp, medical professionals from Tanisa Foundation conducted an array of tests, which included clinical oral examination by ENT specialists, as well as PAP smear test and clinical breast examination by veteran Gynecologists. In addition to focused cancer screenings, the camp also provided health checkups to 125 attendees like tests for blood sugar, blood pressure and mammography tests by certified diagnostic laboratories,’ they shared in an announcement.

Mooving and Fortis’ Ebike rally for lung cancer awareness

On 27th November, 2022, Mooving a company for Battery Swapping Network for India’s Electric Vehicles along with Fortis Hospital Noida arranged an EBike rally that was attended by both medical professionals and other people. Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in India, and the rising pollution, particularly in Delhi and the National Capital Region, is a major worry. Hence, this was an awareness initiative as a part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, they announced. The project was aimed at raising awareness about lung cancer and the role plyed by air pollution in the same.

Zebronics’ day camp for children with cancer

IT Peripherals, & Consumer Electronics brand Zebronics along with Myrtle, an NGO based in Chennai, organised a day camp for 20 children, who are battling with Cancer, along with their families on National Cancer Awareness Day in November, 2022 at Chennai. Rajesh Doshi, Co-Founder & Director, Zebronics interacted with the children and their parents to understand the grass-root level concerns.

Star Health’s cover for child cancer survivors

Star Health and Allied Insurance, in association with St Judes have been providing cover to children who were diagnosed and treated for cancer for over a year now in Chennai, they recently announced. This is under the St. Judes programme called St. Judes for Life. Through this programme, the insurer aims to add an additional 500 children this year.

Star Health also announced that it will soon be offering insurance to the siblings of children who survived cancer. The new policy which is being designed, would provide health and accident cover to these children, announced the company.

The initiative was launched on 4th November 2021, and covered 326 children from St. Judes across India. The initiative aims to focus on a much-overlooked gap in health insurance coverage. The Rotary Club of Madras Temple City, was instrumental in facilitating this association and continues to work for the welfare of the children at St. Judes.

Wacoal India’s donation to Cancer Patients Aid Association

With October marked as the month of Breast Cancer Awareness every year, Wacoal India, a premium lingerie brand from Japan, announced in October, 2022 that they are taking a stand in the fight against breast cancer through an initiative #WacoalKnowsBreast.

As part of this initiative, the brand partnered with the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), a non-profit organisation addressing cancer, to donate a portion of funds generated from its October sales.

According to statistics, every 4 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer – the most common cancer occurring among women globally and in India. With breast cancer accounting for 14% of cancers in Indian women annually, nearly 1,80,000 women are diagnosed with it in the country, and around 90,000 women die of the disease each year.

Cancer Screening Drive in Delhi NCR

Karkinos Healthcare, a purpose-driven oncology platform in partnership with TradeIndia, hosted a community outreach camp for cancer screening and early detection services in August, 2022, as per their announcement. This initiative aimed to help eliminate Cervical Cancer through extensive Cancer screening and treatment for the population in Delhi- NCR region. Statistics say that 1 in 10 women test positive for Cervical Cancer in India making it the second most common form of cancer in women; even though it can be completely prevented.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimates, there will be a 12 per cent rise in cancer cases in India by the next five years and also indicates that the most common form of cancer will be breast cancer, cervical cancer and oral cancer. This initiative focuses on creating awareness, empowering women for cancer screening and also emphasising the need for early detection.

Bengal Club, Shivaji Park donates for pediatric blood cancer

Bengal Club – Shivaji Park, one of the oldest Bengali Clubs in Mumbai completed its 100 years of existence in the year 2022. India’s well known music maestro, Shri Pritam Chakraborty and his band supported the cause, i.e. funding of treatment for children with blood cancer, by not charging his fees for their performance. Out of the revenue generated from donor passes purchased by the audience, an amount of Rupees Five Lakhs was donated to Cancer Patient Aid Association (CPAA), Mumbai in June, 2022. This donation by the Bengal Club – Shivaji Park to CPAA aims to fund the treatment of kids with Blood Cancer.

Fujifilm India and Indian Cancer Society’s ‘Cancer Mukt Dilli’

Fujifilm India announced in July last year that they have partnered with Indian Cancer Society in its flagship programme titled ‘Cancer Mukt Dilli’. Emphasizing on the importance of ‘Early Detection; Early Cure’, the campaign aims to reach individuals living in semi-rural villages of Delhi NCR and belonging to the economically weaker sections of society. The aim is to generate awareness around preventive screening and provide patient support wherever needed.

Under ‘Cancer Mukt Dilli’, Fujifilm India along with ICS announced that they would screen 1000 individuals across camps in Delhi NCR, while 10 individuals will be given financial support depending on the fund utilization. The company further said that they will offer financial assistance of upto Rs 1 lakh per annum for curative cases. Trained volunteers will deliver cancer awareness talks and distribute informative pamphlets. ICS will amplify the campaign through social media and radio channels, electronic media and social networks to disseminate knowledge and spread awareness of the disease and its prevention.

‘Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa’ initiative

In May last year, it was announced that breast cancer screening of 10,000 women across Goa has been successfully completed under the ‘Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa’ initiative of cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s YouWeCan Foundation, the SBI Foundation and the Government of Goa. Launched in October 2021, the project aims to screen 1 lakh women in Goa for breast cancer, thereby ensuring that 50% of the age eligible female population in the State is screened.

Under the ‘Swasth Mahila, Swasth Goa’ initiative, free of cost breast cancer screening is being conducted at 35 Health Centres across Goa along with multiple outreach camps. Of the 10,000 women who have been screened so far, 7 women have been diagnosed positive for breast cancer and their treatment has already commenced. All the suspected cases have been referred to the Goa Medical College & Hospital and district hospitals for further investigations and complete treatment. It is to be noted that free treatment is being provided for all positive cases with the support of the Government of Goa.