New Delhi, October 14:  RGCIRC (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre), one of India’s foremost authorities in cancer care and research, successfully organised ‘Samvad, Sahyog, Seva - II’ - an interactive session between donors and beneficiaries. Organised by the Department of Philanthropy & Patient Welfare Services at the Institute’s Rohini campus, the programme highlighted a central message: philanthropy at RGCIRC goes beyond financial assistance; it helps ensure that no family faces the cancer journey alone.

The event brought together beneficiaries, donors, CSR partners, NGOs, foundations, hospital leadership and patient-welfare teams, providing a platform to share experiences and understand how coordinated support can address the financial, emotional, nutritional, logistical and counselling needs of patients and their families.

The programme began with an introduction to ‘Samvad, Sahyog, Seva - II’ by Mr. Tanish Anand, Patient Welfare Executive, followed by a welcome address by Dr. D. S. Gangwar, CEO, RGCIRC. Dr. Vineet Talwar, Medical Director, RGCIRC, Rohini, and Dr. Gauri Kapoor, Medical Director, RGCIRC, Niti Bagh, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of patient-centred support alongside high-quality clinical care. Ms. Swarnima Jaitely, Head of philanthropy and patient welfare services, narrated through the journey of the cancer survivors and patients at the event. 

Over the years, RGCIRC has built a broad patient-welfare ecosystem to help bridge gaps that can arise during cancer treatment. Since 2020-21, the Institute has facilitated ₹207.66 crore in financial support through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Chief Minister Relief Fund mechanisms, benefiting more than 3,500 patients.

The Institute also continues to make a substantial commitment towards patients from economically weaker sections. Dedicated wards, along with free treatment and medicines, support eligible patients, with RGCIRC foregoing approximately ₹250 crore in revenue annually towards EWS patient care. Between September 2025 and September 2026, the Institute recorded more than 33,600 EWS outpatient visits and around 4,050 admissions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. D. S. Gangwar, CEO, RGCIRC, said, “Cancer can affect almost every aspect of a family’s life. Financial assistance is important, but patients may also need nutrition, accommodation, counselling, emotional support and help navigating the treatment journey. Our effort is to bring these forms of support together so that patients and families feel supported throughout their care. ‘Samvad, Sahyog, Seva - II’ is also our way of recognising the donors and organisations that make this larger ecosystem possible.”

RGCIRC’s patient-welfare efforts also extend strongly into preventive oncology and community outreach. Through awareness initiatives, the Institute has reached more than four lakh citizens, while over 1.25 lakh people have undergone screening through outreach programmes. RGCIRC currently conducts around 30 - 40 free screening camps every month, with a particular focus on underserved communities.

Nutrition is another important area of support. Since 2022, more than 2,000 patients have received protein supplementation, while approximately 300 families have been provided ration kits since 2024. For patients and caregivers travelling from outside Delhi for treatment, accommodation support is facilitated through initiatives such as GRACE, Ashray and Shantam, helping reduce an important logistical burden during prolonged treatment.

The Institute also works to support life beyond immediate treatment. Scholarship partnerships provide educational assistance to children and young cancer survivors, while survivorship programmes, counselling, emotional support and palliative services address the longer-term needs of patients and families. Where cure is no longer possible, the emphasis extends to compassionate and dignified end-of-life support.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vineet Talwar, Medical Director, RGCIRC, Rohini, said, “Comprehensive cancer care cannot be viewed through the lens of medical treatment alone. A patient could be receiving the best clinical care and still face challenges related to nutrition, accommodation, finances or emotional wellbeing. This is where philanthropy plays an instrumental role. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all donors who have helped address these needs, making the journey more manageable for patients and their families. Their trust in RGCIRC is sincerely valued.”

Dr. Gauri Kapoor, Medical Director RGCIRC, Niti Bagh and Director - Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, RGCIRC, added, “Behind every child or adult undergoing cancer treatment is a family dealing with uncertainty and several practical challenges. Guided by our values of ethics, empathy and excellence, we go beyond treatment support, providing emotional, nutritional, logistical and counselling support for patients and families. This is where philanthropy becomes part of the healing journey itself.”

Through ‘Samvad, Sahyog, Seva - II’, RGCIRC highlighted the strength of the ecosystem created by individual donors, CSR partners, NGOs and foundations working alongside its patient-welfare teams. Guided by its core values of Ethics, Empathy and Excellence, the Institute continues to extend cancer care beyond the hospital and beyond treatment - towards prevention, dignity, support and survivorship.

The event ended with a thank you note by Ms. Archana Talreja, Medical Superintendent, RGCIRC.