Apollo cancer centres launch ‘CanWin’, a sanctuary of strength, stories and survivors

Bengaluru: In a quiet auditorium filled with stories louder than any applause, cancer survivors took to the stage — not as patients, not as victims, but as storytellers, warriors, and victors of a battle they never chose, but faced with unmatched courage.

This was the powerful opening act of ‘CanWin’, a newly launched cancer support group by Apollo Cancer Centres (ACCs) — a name that now stands for more than clinical excellence

Launched during National Cancer Survivors Month, CanWin is not just another support group — it’s a movement. A brand-agnostic, open-for-all platform built around one simple but powerful truth: shared strength can change lives.

Whether someone is newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, caring for a loved one, or learning to live beyond the disease, CanWin assures them — you are not alone.

And that promise came alive through its first initiative, ‘Stories from the STAGE by Cancer Winners’ — a heart-stirring storytelling session where survivors became speakers and their scars turned into symbols of resilience.

In their words were the echoes of late-night fears, the warmth of supportive hands, and the fire of defiance in the face of pain.

“Winning cancer isn’t just about beating the disease,” said one speaker from Bengaluru, her voice steady, her eyes shining. “It’s about discovering a part of yourself you never knew existed. It’s about the tears, the laughter, the people who stood by you, and the grace to carry on when everything inside you screams otherwise.”

The stories weren’t rehearsed or polished — they were raw, real, and deeply human. And that was the point. Each voice added a new thread to the tapestry of healing — a community stitched together by courage, not circumstance.

“Today’s fight against cancer is no longer just clinical,” said Dinesh Madhavan, President, Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals.

“It’s emotional. It’s deeply personal. CanWin is about bridging science with the soul — giving patients and survivors a platform to reflect, connect, and transform.”

Dr. Preetham Kabbinahithlu, Joint Director, Clinical Administration at Apollo Cancer Centre, Bengaluru, echoed the sentiment.

“Healing,” he said, “does not end with chemotherapy or surgery. It continues in conversations, in shared silences, in knowing glances across a room full of strangers who suddenly feel like family. CanWin is our step towards humanising cancer care — bringing medicine and compassion under the same roof.”

CanWin is not restricted to Apollo patients. It welcomes everyone — survivors, caregivers, oncologists, volunteers, and even those just wanting to listen.

Professional storytellers like Prashant Pradhan mentored survivors on sharing their journeys, helping them find both purpose and peace in their narratives.

“Storytelling helps give meaning to pain,” he said. “These are not just stories — they are blueprints of survival, manuals for hope,” he added.

Oncologists at the event highlighted the importance of emotional support in cancer recovery. “Survival rates are improving, especially with early detection and new treatments,” one doctor noted.

“But what happens after survival? That’s where platforms like CanWin are essential — they address the unseen wounds.”

Going forward, CanWin will offer monthly gatherings, storytelling therapy, expert Q&A sessions, volunteer activities, and survivor-led workshops. More than a programme, it is a living, breathing tribute to the human spirit — reminding everyone touched by cancer that while the road is hard, it doesn’t have to be walked alone.