January 2025 – Rise To Survive Cancer

Lung Health & Oncology National Conference

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 Leave a comment

Late post …..

I had the opportunity of being a speaker at the Lung Health & Oncology National Conference and joining an esteemed panel to discuss improving lung cancer care in India. The session was both powerful and insightful, focusing on the growing burden of lung cancer in the country.

We delved into pressing challenges such as air pollution & lung cancer, stigma associated with lung cancer, lack of awareness, early diagnosis, to make cancer a notifiable disease, holistic approach to tackle lung cancer (including mental health, palliative care).

We also explored solutions to improve access and affordability to the latest treatments for Indian cancer patients.

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

January 12, 2025 Leave a comment

I am deeply humbled to be recognized as the “𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫” for year 2024 at the 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑆𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑦 in Mumbai, in the presence of hundreds of leading policymakers, industry leaders, patient advocates, clinicians, scientists, and society dignitaries.

While the true reward lies in seeing the positive impact on patients’ lives, this honor is especially meaningful as it spans all disease areas—not just cancer—reflecting the importance of championing public health and placing patients at the heart of care.

This award is not just mine; it’s a testament to the collective efforts of countless #PatientAdvocates who work tirelessly and selflessly for this noble cause…and indeed this award is for and in memory of my wife Kusum Malik Tomar ♥️

At the core of public health is the belief that “𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.” Personally, I believe that “𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.” These beliefs inspires me to continue advocating for solutions that truly prioritize the needs of patients.

Together, let’s strive to build a healthier, more equitable future.

#PatientAdvocacy #PublicHealth #PatientsFirst #EquitableHealthcare

National Cancer Grid Annual Meeting

January 4, 2025 Leave a comment

Late post…..I got the incredibly opportunity to have represented the voice of patients at the National Cancer Grid annual meeting in partnership with the Government of India, WHO, ASCO, and other global organizations. I had the privilege of sitting on a panel with some truly remarkable leaders, including:
– Prof. K VijayRaghavan – Principal Scientific Advisor to PM of India
– Dr. Ravi Kannan – Padma Shri and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee
– Mrs Usha Thorat – Dy Governor RBI and Hon. Secretary ICS
– Prof. Om Narasimhan – London School of Economics
– Dr. Anant Bhan – Ethics Mentor and Mental Health Researcher
– Prof. Nachiket Mor – Scientist, Economist, ISB, Lancet Commission
– Dr. Yogesh Kalkonde – Public Health Practitioner
With invaluable inputs and support from Dr. CS Pramesh, Director, Tata Memorial Hospital and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief Scientist.

What makes this moment even more special is that I’m now part of the founding team of the National Cancer Grid for Mental Health in Cancer. Our mission is to integrate mental health care within comprehensive cancer treatment programs and make this a national standard across India.

The event brought together over 300 esteemed leaders in oncology, public health, and research from 14 countries and national & global organizations including National Health Authority, eminent professors from IIT, WHO, ASCO, focused on strengthening cancer control across India and ASEAN.

This powerful collaboration reaffirmed a vital message: when science, ethics, economics, and patient values unite, we can build a healthcare system can truly be proud of. Here’s to making a difference, step by step.