All posts by : Shivam

CanKids was a high profile participant in the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2025 which happened on 19 January 2025. TMM, now in its  15th year,  was  far more than a run of the mill marathon.  The event gave  CanKids  the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer, highlighting the resilience and strength of young cancer survivors. In 2025, over 67 individuals represented CanKids in the  marathon.  In   their ranks were  10 childhood cancer survivors from different parts of India who participated in the Dream Run category. The runners also included supporters, caregivers and a team from Servier India.

“The survivors are the heart of our mission,” said Poonam Bagai, founder-chairman of CanKids and a cancer survivor herself. “Their participation in the Tata Mumbai Marathon symbolizes the strength, hope and determination it takes to fight and overcome cancer. They are not just survivors but warriors who inspire us all,” she added.

A prominent childhood cancer  survivor who  took part in the event was 21-year-old Atul Singh Rathod. Diagnosed with Retinoblastoma when merely two years,  Atul has defeated cancer with the support of his mother and exceptional care at AIIMS. Now an integral member of the CanKids team, he advocates for  early cancer detection and treatment.

Among the other gutsy  survivors who participated in TMM 2025 was 17-year-old Sumit Gupta, a passionate cricketer from Varanasi.  At the age of 3 years, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Later at  11,  it was found that he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma( stage 3) . Sumit displayed remarkable fortitude despite the deadly diagnosis, Even as he  was subjected to painful surgeries, chemotherapy and setbacks, he continued to pursue his dream of being an ace cricketer. Now he is training in Mumbai to represent India.

CanKids has been a long time collaborator with United Way Mumbai for the event. Since 2009, United Way Mumbai has been the official Philanthropy Partner for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, providing a platform for runners to contribute to meaningful causes. Through United Way Mumbai, CanKids successfully emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis, quality treatment and long-term support in its mission to improve childhood cancer care across India. The collaboration also  played a crucial role in enabling CanKids to raise awareness, secure funding and advocate for better policies to support children with cancer.

The funds raised by CanKids  will enable the organization to  strengthen its holistic childhood cancer care model, which includes medical aid and treatment support, palliative care and psychological counselling, education through CanShalas, nutrition and transportation support, and 141 Hospital Support Units across India.

TMM continues to enthuse supporters, Running along with childhood cancer survivors were 175 CanKids supporters, individuals runners and senior citizens. In their ranks was Singapore-based computer engineer Vidya. who has taken part in TMM every year since 2013. She is an avid marathoner who has completed over 100 half-marathons.  Drawn by the  energy, camaraderie and the celebration of Mumbai’s spirit, she says that she is  motivated to participate in the event by a long term desire to support a social cause.  CanKids is a  natural choice she says. Vidya’s entire family has been avid supporters of CanKids and some have run marathon. Now she is all set for next year’s run. 

CanKids KidsCan campaign offers new hope to children with cancer.

They hit the roads for a worthy cause. As many as 1,500 + enthusiastic  cyclists from across  India  signed up to pedal for  #Cycle for Gold – India’s largest charity cycling challenge, and a high profile  CanKids KidsCan campaign, now in its fourth edition brought together cycling enthusiasts, childhood cancer advocates and fundraisers.

#Cycle for Gold adopts a well chalked out strategy.  To sign up for the event there is a registration donation of Rs 600. The participant then gets a high quality dry fit T-shirt. For every km a person pedals, children with cancer will get an average of Rs 50 through CSR funds of corporates.  Just Rs 1,000  goes a long way towards the treatment, support and survival  for children fighting cancer. 

The #Cycle for Gold rally has brought to the fore the  indomitable  spirit of cancer survivors. In their ranks is 25-year-old Vikas Yadav, a  Retinoblastoma survivor who led over 200 cyclists during the Marine Drive Rally from across Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayander and Panvel. “When I lost my eye to cancer, I thought my future was over. But your journey doesn’t end with a diagnosis – it begins with a fight. I ride because I survived, and every child deserves that chance to survive and thrive,” said Mr Yadav. 

Vikas’s words became the soul of CFG 2025, a powerful reminder that survivorship is not the end of a story, but the beginning of a movement.

The top three individual cyclists this year were Ripan Kumar who led the individual leaderboard with a staggering 7,359 km, followed closely by Umesh Patel at 7,352 km, and Krishan Kumar, who clocked in 6,563 km. In the group category, the energy and unity of cycling clubs fueled the momentum: Sangli Active Cycling emerged as the top club with a whopping 1,17,608 km, Chennai Cyclists followed with 72,411 km, and Chandigarh Randonneurs Club contributed an impressive 70,930 km.
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These weren’t just numbers. They were stories of compassion, grit, and belief – in a future where no child dies of cancer because of lack of access to care.

The finale saw enthusiastic participation from cycling clubs, survivors, parents, hospitals, doctors, and supporters. It culminated in heartfelt medal ceremonies in Delhi, Mumbai, Sangli, Chennai, and Kolkata, where roads turned into runways of resilience and unity.
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CanKids #Cycle for Gold campaign lends heft to the 11 year old  organisation’s endeavor to improve survival outcomes of children with cancer. As time runs out to meet the WHO target of a 60 percent survival rate by 2030, it is initiatives like #Cycle for Gold that offer hope  to thousands of  children with cancer and their families.