Hello! My name is Sugandha Kumari, Nickname Tannu. I am from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and am a Germ Cell Tumor Cancer Survivor. I will be running the Tata Mumbai Marathon Dream Run  to raise funds to support children with cancer for CanKids KidsCan, The National Society For Change For Childhood Cancer In India. And need your help to achieve the same.

I belong to a low-income family. My mother is a house maker and my father worked in a private company with salary which could only keep us afloat. In September 2010, I was 12 years old, I got fever which never went. My mother took me to a nearby private hospital where doctor suggested me to take to a better hospital in Lucknow for further investigation. We went to King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow. There I was diagnosed with Germ Cell Tumour - a cancer in stomach. The news came as a shock to us in all the limit. We were full of fear about its successful treatment and highly challenged with financial situation.

My parents shared this situation with relatives, most of them suggested for not going to the treatment as we were not financially strong as they believe that cancer can’t be cured so why to waste money on the treatment. But my mother was so determined and decided to fight against all this situation and with cancer too. She sold her jewellery and my father used his whatsoever the saving was and my treatment started in KGMU, Lucknow.

In the meantime, my mother met the CanKids team, they held my mom’s hand and said Cankids says ‘You Are Not Alone’ so we do not have to worry rather they will hold our hand and look after all the problems to be addressed as their family member. We received medical support. They celebrated our birthday, festivals, engage us with educational activities and used to give us gifts and sweets. By the grace of God, treatment of doctors and treating team members and strong support of Cankids, I ultimately was declared as free of cancer in March 2011.

When I came back from treatment and resumed my studies, none of my friend use to mingle with me and play in my colony and school. It was disheartening so I decided, I will surely work for changing this situation.
At the same time, I came to know that there is a Cankids group of Survivor named KidsCan Konnect (KCK) that spreads awareness and motivates the parents for treatment of Childhood Cancer. Also, it advocates for safeguarding the rights of children with cancer and their family members. I joined the group and later I got an opportunity to serve for the cause through cancer.

Currently, I am serving the society as Patient Advocate as KCK member and working in Cankids as Care Coordinator in Northern Region from Lucknow.

I request you all to motivate us in this noble cause and contribute to help raise funds for children with Cancer on this page  and be the part of this noble mission which supports many children for their treatment whose family is weak financially and receive their soulful blessing that makes your life meaningful.