Indian Cancer Society - Delhi
The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) was set up in 1953 by the eminent surgeon, Dr Jussawala, of the Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai. The farsighted surgeon saw that while competent doctors treated the unending stream of patients with great empathy, they could not hope to defeat the disease without addressing the twin issues of Cancer Awareness and early Primary Preventive Screening. He knew that most Indians looked at cancer as ‘wrath of God’ and a ‘stigma’ and thought it best to keep quiet about any unexplained symptoms and, so, large numbers lived with pain and died without ever seeking help at a hospital.
The prohibitive cost of treatment was another factor for this societal behaviour. The ICS vision was to become a Beacon of Hope for the suffering millions, by making them aware about the benefits of early screening, helping those with early symptoms get the best treatment at reasonable cost. They explained that ‘cancer is not a death sentence and most cancers – if detected early – are curable.
The Delhi Branch of ICS was established in 1984, by a group of public spirited persons; the visionary K. K. Mehta led the way with his ‘never say die’ attitude. The ICS-D started with a well-conceived Awareness Campaign and a Screening Centre. Talks by distinguished doctors and dedicated volunteers were conducted at every possible venue and by 1991, it became the leading support group for patients. Harmala Gupta set up Cancer Sahyog and encouraged survivors like herself to join. They were the true saviours for patients, first at AIIMS and now extending to 15 hospitals in the NCR. These survivor-volunteers continue to be the backbone of the society. Harmala would later establish CanSupport, an independent home-based palliative care programme covering several states.
Another leader at ICS-D, Poonam Bagai, set up CanKids, another fine outfit focused on children. The ICS-D had thus become a sort of nursery that nurtured admirable talent and commitment. At ICS-D Prashanti and Jagriti followed Sahyog in quick succession. In 2001, Cancer Sahyog encouraged other Emotional Support Groups across the country to join hands and started Cancer Care India (CACI) which is now a conglomerate of some 30 organisations. An assistance programme regularly extends considerable financial aid to under-privileged patients, by way of protein supplements, prosthetics and other necessities. Training programmes of ICS-D have now spread to other parts of India and even Sri Lanka.
The great society continues to grow, especially in the field of Awareness with an e-learning course on Cancer Fundamentals to which over a dozen senior oncologists contribute with their time and expertise. The last addition, in 2021-22, a Faculty Development Project – that draws highly experienced distinguished master trainers from all over the country – trains a large number of students to spread the message about cancer, is doing exemplary work in carrying forward the mission of ICS-D. And, in this digital age, a mobile app in five languages is under development for release by the end of 2023.
Here’s yet another champion of ‘inclusivity’ lending a broad shoulder to those suffering from cancer and unable to get proper guidance, treatment and counselling; under the leadership of the indefatigable Jyotsna Govil who was persuaded by Dr Jassawala, way back in 1985, to join ICS-D and continues to devote her life to the noble cause. Sadly, numbers of people afflicted with cancer are humungous and we really need many more organisations to step in and help.
