patientadvocacy – Rise To Survive Cancer

Announcing the “Kusum Memorial Cancer Foundation”: A New Chapter in Patient Advocacy & Research

January 9, 2026January 11, 2026 Leave a comment

We are proud to announce the official launch of the Kusum Memorial Cancer Foundation – a registered public charitable trust in India dedicated to transforming the cancer care landscape for patients, caregivers, and communities across the country.

stablished in memory of our Kusum Malik Tomar – India’s longest survivor of Stage IV lung cancer of her time, participant of number of clinical trials & research medicines, a patient advocate and co-founder of ALK Positive India, whose courage and resilience continue to inspire our commitment to dignity, hope, and scientific progress for cancer patients and caregivers. This Foundation represents a powerful vision for equitable, compassionate, and research-led cancer care and stronger patient voices in healthcare and policy.

A Mission Rooted in Impact

The Kusum Memorial Cancer Foundation has been established with a clear focus:
to empower cancer patients – especially those affected by lung cancer – with access to the latest treatments, evidence-based information, strong community support, and meaningful engagement in clinical research and policy.

This trust serves as the legal and governance umbrella for initiatives that have long been part of our community’s work and ethos, including:

Rise To Survive Cancer – our flagship patient advocacy platform
ALK Positive India – India’s first oncogene-focused support group for ALK+ NSCLC patients, established in year 2017
The White Ribbon Project – India – a movement to break stigma and drive lung cancer awareness and action, established in year 2025

Vision & Core Focus

At its heart, the Foundation is committed to a future where every cancer patient – regardless of cancer type, genetic profile, or socioeconomic background – has equitable access to cutting-edge treatment, compassionate care, and empowering support systems.

For the Foundation, advocacy is not just a cause — it’s a commitment to elevating patient voices, strengthening clinical research awareness, and influencing policy for long-term systemic change.

Governance & Commitment to Ethics

The Kusum Memorial Cancer Foundation is registered in India as a non-profit, non-commercial charitable trust. All activities are carried out without profit motive, and benefits are open to everyone irrespective of caste, religion, gender, race, or socioeconomic status.

This governance foundation ensures that patient welfare, transparency, and ethical practice remain central to every initiative.

Together, we can ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

Read more about the Foundation’s vision, details and initiatives:
🔗 Visit the Foundation page on Kusum Memorial Cancer Foundation

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

Changemaker at the Asia Lung Cancer Conference

November 3, 2024 Leave a comment

Recently, I had the honor of representing the voice of lung cancer patients as the first Indian Patient Advocate to lead a workshop on Patient Advocacy for oncologists, researchers, and emerging patient advocates from across Asia at the Asia Lung Cancer Conference (ACLC) in Hong Kong.

The 2024 Asia Conference on Lung Cancer (ACLC 2024) took place from October 17 to 19, 2024, organized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). This gathering spotlighted the latest advancements in lung cancer research, treatment methodologies, and clinical practices, serving as a beacon of hope for progress in the field.

This platform provided an invaluable opportunity to become a changemaker to foster a transformative shift in patient advocacy for lung cancer across the Asia-Pacific region. It allowed me to bring together patient advocates from various countries, guiding and empowering them with the knowledge, experience, and tools they need to become more effective voices for change.

It was truly inspiring to connect and collaborate with such an incredible group of fellow patient advocacy leaders and dear friends in this groundbreaking initiative, all united by the goal of improving healthcare for cancer patients in Asia.

Special thanks to IASLC team, Janet Freeman (ROS1Ders), Lillian Leigh (Chair of the workshop), and the remarkable Dr. Upal Basu Roy (LUNGevity) for their unwavering support and for making this opportunity possible.