Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : CanSupport, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing palliative care services for people with cancer and other serious illnesses hosted the 18th edition of its flagship event, ‘Walk for Life – Stride Against Cancer,’ at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, on 16th Feb2025 to commemorate World Cancer Day.
The ‘CanSupport Walk for Life – Stride Against Cancer’ is the largest cancer awareness walkathon in Delhi. Since 2008, CanSupport has organized this event to raise awareness about the increasing incidence of cancer and to show solidarity with patients and their vital support system—dedicated caregivers.
CanSupport, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recognized organization, has been at the forefront of providing free-of-charge home-based palliative care for the last 28 years. Its dedicated multidisciplinary teams, consisting of doctors, nurses, and counsellors, ensure that cancer patients receive medical, emotional, and psychosocial support at every stage of their journey.
In her message to the participants Harmala Gupta, Founder-President of CanSupport said “It is a time to share experiences, meet with friends, both old and new, and honour those who are living with cancer as well as remember those who are no longer with us. More than anything else, however, it is a call to urgent action.
We know that cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and that it is on the march in our part of the world. What we also know is that it can be kept at bay if we adopt a healthy lifestyle. Besides eating right, regular exercise is one of the most powerful weapons we have and the Walk is to remind us that we must use it for our benefit.”
This year’s event marked a significant milestone with the introduction of a 5 km Run alongside the traditional 3 km Walk, catering to fitness enthusiasts and further amplifying the impact of the cause. Participants walked and ran with passion and determination, carrying banners and messages of hope, resilience, and the importance of early detection and palliative care.
Over the years, the Walk has grown in popularity, with participation increasing annually. Over 4,000 walkers participated in the event and reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the cause.
Professionals from Delhi-NCR as well as expats and diplomats from various embassies and high commissions have walked with us to show they care. Many schools, colleges, universities, and educational institutions have also been part of the Walk over the years.
This year too, the event witnessed an overwhelming response, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds, including cancer survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, students, corporate teams, and expatriates, all united in their commitment to raising awareness about cancer and showing solidarity with those affected by the disease.
The other dignitaries present at the event included Dr Pramod Kumar Julka, Vice-Chairman Oncology, Max Institute of Cancer Care, Former Ambassador of the US to India David Mulford and his wife and the patron of the Walk for Life event Jeannie Mulford.
Members of the Royal Mavericks Club joined the Walk to support cancer patients and rode with them. Performances from the BSF Band, Music Factory, Delhi Drum Circle and Sai Aerobics kept the walkers entertained as they arrived at the venue.
