Cancer Survivor Chandan Kumar Builds India Research Study

When Chandan Kumar was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child, doctors told his parents the odds were against him. But he made himself a promise: if he survived, he'd help other children fighting cancer.

Two decades later, Kumar has kept that promise in a powerful way. He now contributes to the Indian Childhood Cancer Survivorship Study (C2S), one of the largest research efforts in the world focused on understanding what young cancer survivors need as they grow up.

The study holds special meaning for Kumar. His wife is also a childhood cancer survivor and participates in the research herself.

What started as one person's vision over ten years ago has grown into a nationwide collaboration. Thousands of survivors, doctors, researchers, hospitals, and advocacy groups across India now work together to improve long-term care for children who beat cancer.

Kumar works at Resonance, where he recently shared his journey from patient to survivor to advocate during a webinar. He reflected on how survivorship care in low and middle-income countries is becoming increasingly important as more children survive cancer than ever before.

The study, led by Dr. Rachna Seth and Dr. Ramandeep Arora, focuses on understanding the health challenges survivors face years after treatment ends. Many childhood cancer treatments, while lifesaving, can create health issues that emerge later in life.

The Ripple Effect

Kumar's work reaches far beyond his own healing journey. The research he contributes to will help shape care guidelines for generations of young cancer survivors across India and similar countries worldwide.

As survival rates continue climbing globally, the medical community recognizes that beating cancer is just the beginning. Survivors need ongoing support, monitoring, and care to truly thrive in the decades that follow treatment.

For Kumar, this work represents the fulfillment of a promise made by a scared child who dared to imagine a future where he could help others facing the same battle.

Every child who survives cancer deserves the chance not just to live, but to flourish.