Cancer Support Group in Delhi

Cancer Sahyog is an emotional support group for patients, survivors and families living with cancer. Formed in 1991 by a group of likeminded survivors, caregivers and professionals, today our volunteer strength stands at 61. Each of our members have had a personal experience or nursed a patient through cancer. Seeing the marked increase in incidence of cancer today, the relevance of our group’s work assumes greater importance. While providing emotional support to those coping with cancer and their immediate families is our primary aim, we also undertake related activities. 

• Volunteers attend clinics at leading hospitals – AIIMS, IRCH, RGCI, Army (R&R), Batra, Artemis, Medi City and the Max Hospital in Delhi – interacting with patients, guiding them through procedures. They also distribute literature on cancer and its treatment and side effects, while providing the empathetic listening ear. Having experienced cancer, they are a powerful tool of hope. 
• Our breast cancer volunteers man the Breast Cancer Clinic where the mastectomee is fitted with a prosthesis and bras free of cost. This enthuses a sense of confidence in one who has lost the very basis of womanhood, a breast, to cancer. 
• We also sponsor the cost of treatment for the poor and needy patients based on a set criteria. At AIIMS and IRCH, we adopt certain children and adults, and bear the complete cost of their treatment. So far this year we have adopted 32 children and 16 adults. We hope to add on many more to this number as we progress through the year. 
• We have a children’s programme in which our volunteers spend time with the children and keep them entertained, providing them with snacks twice weekly, gifting them with toys etc. and taking them for an outing every quarter. We have a scheme in which you could adopt a child suffering from cancer and take care of either his treatment or rehabilitation. 
• Sahyog prints pamphlets on related and relevant topics like nutrition, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and preventing lymphodema. A newsletter, ‘NARGIS’ is also published bi-annually, which provides a platform for highlighting the activities undertaken by Sahyog during the period and gives members a chance to air their views, explore new subjects and exchange ideas. 
• Seminars and workshops are organized regularly for update of information and also promoting awareness amongst people topics like : 
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  1. Cancer, if detected early, is curable
  2. There is life after cancer
  3. Join in our fight against cancer

Cancer Survivor’s Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of February every year. The occasion honours the spirit of survivors and gives tremendous hope to those undergoing treatment.

We rely on voluntary donations for all our activities. If you would like to adopt a child for treatment/education/rehabilitation, or simply want to help, please contact the undersigned or Mrs Usha Ohri at Cancer Sahyog. Cheques should be made to “Indian Cancer Society (Cancer Sahyog). All donations are exempt from Income Tax under section 80G of Income Tax Act, 1961. We look forward to a contribution from you, which will help us in our endeavour to save lives of many needy cancer patients.

Sumitted by -  Asha Kennedy, Cancer Sahyog, Delhi.