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Fondly called "Doctor Saheb" this one man is on a mission by changing the fate of cancer patients in rural India
48-Year-Old, Dr. Sunil along with his NGO Chandrakanti Devi Cancer Foundation has been changing the lives of cancer patients in rural India.Today his sole aim is to provide free cancer treatment to those poor and underprivileged citizens who can't afford their treatment and often end up losing their life to this dreadful disease.
“A woman came in for her check-up one day. I came to know she was abandoned by her family. When I told her she needed urgent surgery. She replied, it would be easier for her to die than try to afford cancer treatment. Hearing this we took over the responsibility of getting her treated in time” - Dr Sunil Kumar, founder, Chandrakanti Devi Cancer Foundation
Dr. Sunil found that 65% rural cancer cases are detected too late, and only 5 out of 10 patients can afford treatment
In rural India, fighting cancer is about both education and medical progress. Lack of screenings and preventive care worsens the issue. Many prioritize survival meals over health check-ups.
Dr Sunil travels over 1,000 kilometres every month from Delhi to Dehri, Bihar, to help the underprivileged, aiming to diagnose diseases early
“I had found out that my mother was diagnosed with advanced -pancreatic cancer. Belonging from a middle-class family, I saw how the financial burden of this condition broke families - That’s when I decided that I would help those in need.” - Dr Sunil
People from 5-6 districts around Dehri travel long distances to come here for their cancer treatments
“People from 5-6 districts around Dehri travel long distances to come here for their cancer treatments. Through my organisation, I try to offer whatever help possible to these underprivileged patients, whether it's through therapies, medication, or providing their travel...” - Dr Sunil
However, high demand for more beds and facilities, along with no means to medicines is slowing down the mission.
Dr. Sunil's NGO arranges medical camps to help support patients. They also raise awareness through workshops in schools, colleges- teaching locals about how to spot early symptoms
The NGO has also established a 24/7 helpline for urgent help to reach them in time. Through the helpline patients receive guidance, counselling, information, and treatment suggestions from experts over the phone. This eliminates the need for them to wait until the monthly camps.
A mother and son came to me, both had cancer. Sadly, their cancer was quite advanced when they reached out to me, they were struggling to make ends meet, we started their treatment as soon as they reached us but after a few months the mother passed away. The son didn't lose courage and he wanted to win this battle, this was what the mother had hoped that at least her son can survived, and he did. - A heartbroken and shook Dr. Sunil explains
If we provide them with help in time we can try to save them...
Dr Sunil need your support to continue caring for them as currently they are facing a major challenge
"Right now, we are working with limited resources. Some of our needs are very urgent and we are not able to provide treatment to everybody who come to us for help. So, our priority now is establishing a comprehensive treatment and palliative care centre to cater to all the patients that come to us. Additional financial help will help us in increasing our awareness camps and reach more people in remote corners.” - Dr Sunil
Every day over 50 patients are coming to the clinic for free cancer treatment. Dr. Sunil needs your help to build a centre that accomodate more patients and spread awareness for early diagnosis. But it's hard to raise funds with growing expense. Please support him in caring for them.
Click here to donate and support Dr Sunil and Chandrakanti Devi Cancer Foundation in treating cancer-ridden rural poor patients.
