OUR STORY
On the invitation from Global Cancer Concern UK, Global Cancer Concern India, a non-profit, secular, and highly committed apex-level NGO, was founded by General Pannu on March 6, 1998, as a Charitable Trust. Shri R Venkataraman, former President of India, kindly consented to become the Patron in Chief.
" Together let us take their pain away"
became the mantra of GCCI
The main objective of GCCI was to set up palliative care services for the terminally ill cancer patients. Today, Global Cancer Concern India (GCCI) occupies a prominent place in the country's vanguard of cancer care NGOs. It has been working assiduously for the last 25 years for the care of the disadvantaged section of society. Our activities address key issues that we believe make a difference to the effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care management and complement the national efforts.
A BOLD VISION AND MISSION
THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUST COVER THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF CANCER CARE, FROM PREVENTIVE TO PALLIATIVE, DIAGNOSTIC, TREATMENT, REHABILITATION, AND SUPPORTIVE.
To combat cancer at all stages by seeking prevention, early detection, and recognizing palliative care management so that cancer sufferers can live quality lives with dignity and self-esteem as long as possible.
THE HARSH REALITY
The developing countries have 5% of the world’s resources for cancer treatment, prevention, care & research – while these countries are home to two-thirds of the world’s cancer patients. Of even greater concern is the fact that 70% of the patients are only diagnosed at the terminal stage since awareness is abysmally low and most people are unaware that 50% of the cancers are curable if detected early. The global cancer burden is expected to be 28.4 million cases in 2040 a 47% rise from 2020, with a larger increase in transitioning (64% to 95%) versus transitioned (32% to 56%) countries due to demographic changes.
This may be further exacerbated by increasing risk factors associated with globalization and a growing economy.
FROM AWARNESS TO ACTION
GCCI embarked on a mission to combat cancer at all stages through a four-pronged agenda by creating a CIRCLE between the patient, the doctor, and the family members, by seeking PREVENTION, creating AWARENESS, building a SUPPORT SYSTEM, and finally providing a FINANCIAL SAFETY NET.
Cancer is the byproduct of two sources: genetics or lifestyle choices. Preventive healthcare to the needy and marginalized segment of society is given so as to prevent loss of life as also considerable loss of the potentially productive years of life. Camps are organized at Urban Slums, Schools, Corporates, and RWAs to spread awareness on the causes of cancer and how to prevent it by opting for a moderate and healthy lifestyle and regular checkups.
Innovative methodologies such as role play, case studies, and visual presentations are used to facilitate ease of learning.
Through cancer screening camps, GCCI has acted as a catalyst to aid early detection and facilitate a positive treatment. Each team of doctors and nurses carries out non-invasive screening investigations that are effective enough to detect symptoms leading to an early diagnosis of cancer. Free pathological lab facilities are extended, and medicines are distributed free of cost.
Beneficiaries are informed about results of screening and diagnosis and counseled about the future line of treatment.
Cancer thrusts heavy expenses on both the patient and their family. Most families do not have medical insurances and get completely exhausted – physically, mentally, and financially while going through the long and painful treatment procedure. The aim of GCCI’s Financial Assistance Programme is to lessen this burden.
GCCI’s Palliative Care Programme for cancer patients is inspired by the plight of the terminally ill patient. Palliative care addresses the emotional, physical, practical, and spiritual issues of the patient once the disease is beyond the realm of active treatment.
GCCI has been providing home-based palliative care since 2006. A team comprising a doctor, nurse, and counselor visits the patients at their homes to provide pain relief, medication, and counseling, including training for caregivers to better handle patients. Palliative treatment, which is not curative, still gives moral support to the patient and extends life for a notable period of time. It restores the quality of life and aims at giving the patient a relatively painless and dignified passing.
The Child Education Sponsorship programme helps needy children from cancer-stricken families to continue and complete their school education. Through vocational rehabilitation programs, cancer patients and their dependents are integrated back into the mainstream of life by making them self-sufficient.
25 YEARS
A JOURNEY OF INNOVATIVE VENTURES.
1997
1997
1998
1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
2001
2001
2002
2003
2000-2004
2004
2004-05
2006
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2012
2013
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2022
Covid 19
2021-2023
TOGETHER AGAINST CANCER
For the Corporates , we have a clear message...
" We have the expertise and the resources and you have the money ....Let us join hands to make this world a better place ! We are fortunate to be involved in this endevour and those who strengthen our hands are priveledged too. Whoever can help should --- in whichever way they can, we owe it to our social conscience."
From time to time, depending upon the need, GCCI has been formulating and implementing a variety of programs in partnership with corporate sector under Corporate Social Responsibility agenda. Prominent among the corporates with which GCCI has partnered are.....
LIVES WE HAVE TOUCHED
TESTIMONIALS
FROM VISION TO LEGACY
Global Cancer Concern India is a vibrant and dynamic organization nurturing a culture that supports flexibility and is proactive to change in demanding scenarios. Right from its genesis, it has been shifting and changing its course of action and formulating and implementing programs which make maximum impact in the field of cancer care at the particular point of time. It has an well-established culture of management ethos integrated with sustainable practices and coupled with organizational agility .
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Years of success
Having completed 25 YEARS this year ....we are re-evaluating our reason for our existence in today’s fast evolving social scenario. And we have zeroed in on some programmes which would help bolster the government’s efforts in healthcare specifically in cancer care management.
BUILDING A LEGACY OF CARE.
Global Cancer Concern India is a vibrant and dynamic organization nurturing a culture that supports flexibility and is proactive to change in demanding scenarios. Right from its genesis, it has been shifting and changing its course of action and formulating and implementing programes which make maximum impact in the field of cancer care at the particular point of time. It has an well established culture of management ethos integrated with sustainable practices and coupled with organizational agility Having completed 25 YEARS this year ....we have again re-aligned with todays fast evolving social scenario. And our focus is on programmes which will bolster the goverments efforts in healthcare specifically in cancer care management.
Also on the agenda is addressing the need for Hospices and Day care centres for the patients as well as the terminally ill. This would entail giving grants and financial assistance to existing units to upgrade and sustain their infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the new social structure
Palliative care has four aspects - clinical or medication, pain management, emotional, social, and spiritual. End-stage cancer patients need palliative care and not expensive medication. A vast majority are often prescribed treatment which does not improve their chances of survival; instead, it puts them through extreme pain and anguish and leaves their caregivers drained, traumatized, and in great financial distress.
A concept of a hospice is often not fully understood in India. The family is often reluctant to admit a terminally ill patient to a hospice as they feel they will be deserting their loved ones in their hour of need. A hospice is not a place to die but rather a place to live out the rest of your life, without pain and other distressing symptoms, and to bring peace to your mind, body, and spirit. A hospital ICU adds days to life, as opposed to a hospice, which aims to add life to days.
The most affected person, who is practically invisible to all, is the caregiver. Being constantly on call night and day, they are a shattered soul who works against time with limited resources. It is necessary to realize that no one can pour from an empty cup, and necessary care, recuperation, and counseling are required for the caregiver. In order to facilitate that, day care facilities are necessary.The patient is taken care of while the caregiver is given respite.
This is especially true for those undergoing active treatment and also those who are living out their end days at home.
Though GCCI’s program -spectrum has been encompassing a wide gamut of cancer care services the ,present focus is on providing financial assistance to those who are afflicted with both Cancer and poverty and are in a abysmally miserable condition. During the last 3 years, their lives have been impacted the most by COVID 19 as they have been relegated into insignificance by the healthcare system because of the more immediate need of the covid patient
The ambit of Financial Assistance will include Treatment and Educational and Vocational Rehabilitation. We will also be giving financial disbursements on humanatarian grounds to Terminally ill Patients.
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD -
OUR WISHLIST
Pain Management
Psychological Counselling
Coping with Bereavement
Support Group for Patients Diagnosed with Cancer
Rehabilitation Therapy Group for Cancer Survivors
Palliative Support Group for Terminally Ill.
