Cancer Survivor Helps 1,000+ Patients in India

When Aswini Kumar Darjee faced cervical gland cancer in 2007, the fear and uncertainty felt worse than the diagnosis itself. The 59-year-old journalist from Bhubaneswar, India, survived his treatment but never forgot what was missing: someone to talk to who truly understood.

Ten years later, Darjee decided to become that person for others. In 2017, he founded the "Fighters Group" with 12 fellow cancer survivors in Bargarh, determined to provide the emotional support he desperately needed but never received.

"At that time, I did not get any psychosocial support to cope with the fear," Darjee said. "I was scared and clueless."

His wife Sarada Lahangir, a development professional, credits his survival to a strong support system at home. That experience inspired them both to extend help to others facing the same battle.

The Ripple Effect

The Fighters Group has grown far beyond its humble beginnings. Today, 154 direct members (survivors and family members) form the core team, while more than 1,000 people connect with them for support. The group receives three to four calls weekly from newly diagnosed patients seeking guidance.

They coordinate hospital treatments, connect patients with agencies that can help, and provide the emotional lifeline that medical professionals often can't offer. Their impact reaches families navigating not just cancer, but the financial devastation that often follows.

Darjee now champions an overlooked challenge: employment discrimination against cancer survivors. "Many employers think cancer survivors cannot perform like other staff," he explained. His message is clear: survivors don't want sympathy, they want opportunities to work and support their families.

His next dream addresses another practical barrier. He wants to establish a shelter home in Bhubaneswar where cancer patients and their families can stay during treatment without the crushing burden of rental costs.

"A poor patient cannot pay a huge amount of money monthly to get rented accommodation during treatment," Darjee said. A safe, hygienic shelter with meals could transform the treatment experience for families already stretched thin.

From a frightened patient to a beacon of hope for thousands, Darjee proves that surviving cancer can be just the beginning of your most meaningful work.