Cancer is more than a medical condition—it is a life-altering crisis that impacts every dimension of a
person’s existence. From the moment of diagnosis to the end of treatment, and often long after.
The journey is fraught with emotional, psychological, financial and physical challenges.
In #Bharat, with its enormous population and overburdened healthcare system, these challenges get
amplified.
Against this backdrop, Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer has emerged as a transformative force in the
landscape of cancer care. Established in 2012 with a vision to provide holistic, integrative and
compassionate support to cancer patients and their families, Sanjeevani addresses the gaps that lie
beyond hospital corridors.
This is the story of Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer—its inception, the vision of its founders, its diverse
programs, collaborations, and the widespread impact it has created in Bharat.
With a unique approach that blends empathy with empowerment, Sanjeevani is not just an organization;
it is a movement that stands by every cancer warrior, helping them rediscover life beyond cancer.
Bharat records over 14 lakh new cancer cases every year. While significant attention is paid to the
diagnosis and treatment phase, the psychosocial, emotional, and rehabilitative needs of cancer patients
are grossly overlooked.
Key gaps include:
- Lack of psycho-social support: Patients face fear, depression, anxiety and isolation.
- Inadequate caregiver training: Families are ill-prepared to care for patients at home.
- Limited awareness about nutrition and post-treatment care
- Stigma surrounding cancer in society
- Lack of vocational rehabilitation post-recovery
Sanjeevani was conceived to address these urgent needs holistically.
Recognizing that healing involves mind, body and soul, the organization has developed models of care
that are community-centric, integrative, and sustainable.
Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer was founded by Ruby Ahluwalia, a bureaucrat and cancer survivor, who
personally experienced the emotional void in India’s cancer care ecosystem.
The organization was formally registered as a non-profit trust, in 2012 and started its journey from Tata
Memorial Hospital, Mumbai—one of India's premier cancer treatment facilities.
The vision was clear - To make holistic cancer care accessible to all, especially the underserved and
under-informed.
Sanjeevani’s founding philosophy is built on these tenets:
- Compassionate Care
- Holistic Healing
- Patient Empowerment
- Community Engagement
- Sustainability of Recovery
Ruby, a senior IRAS officer, battled cancer in 2009. Her personal ordeal led her to introspect deeply about
the gaps in care beyond clinical treatment. She transformed her pain into purpose by creating a safe
haven for other cancer patients.
Her memoirs “Fragrance of a Wild Soul” (English) and "Mann Bawara" (Hindi) narrate her healing journey
and the genesis of Sanjeevani.
Both books are available on Amazon.
Sanjeevani’s team includes survivors, oncologists, social workers and volunteers, all united by a common
cause.
Trustees, Mentors and collaborators from across medical, wellness, and administrative fields have
contributed to its rapid growth.
Flagship Programs:
A) Integrative Cancer Care Centres
- Located within hospitals, these centres manned by trained caregivers offer complete patient
- assistance encompassing their emotional, financial, holistic healing and logistic needs.
- Sanjeevani has set up ICCCs in 34 hospitals across India which help patients
B) Satori & Srjan
Satori and Srjan are Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer’s transformative Holistic healing programs
addressing both mind and body and help cancer patients navigate fear, anxiety, and trauma
through tools like nutritional guidance, yog, psychotherapy sessions, mindfulness, expressive
arts, inner child healing and NLP. These programs aim to foster acceptance, inner strength and
emotional resilience during and post the cancer journey.
C) Can Saarthi – Certificate in Oncological Caregiving
This 6-month program trains Survivors and caregivers to become certified cancer care
professionals. This skill Development and employability program focuses on survivors who lost
jobs or financial stability and their care givers. The programs aims at empowering survivors to
become gainfully employed and live a life full of dignity, independence, and purpose.
The certification empowers the graduates to serve other patients at hospitals, NGOs, and
communities.
D) Aham Sanjeevani - Community Cancer Leaders (CCL) Program
A grassroots empowerment model that empowers survivors, their family member, caregivers and
those who wish to make a difference to become trained health educators and help providers.
CCL conduct door-to-door awareness and provide support interventions. This program enhances the
reach and creates a ripple effect in villages and urban clusters.
E) CanAhaar – Nutritional Support
To provide free, tailored nutritional bags to underprivileged malnourished patients and educate
them on the need of proper nutrition - what, when and how.
F) Support groups - Counselling and Emotional Support
One-on-one and group therapy sessions that focus on reducing depression, fear, medical
concerns and anxiety. These sessions enable shared learning.
G) CanChetna - Awareness Campaigns
Community camps on 'Adoption of healthy lifestyle for Cancer free life' in colleges, corporates,
RWAs and any other community set up, focused on early detection, myths-busting, screening
camps.
H) National Conference on Integrative Cancer Care and Associated Workshops
The National Conference on Integrated Cancer Care (NCICC), organized by Sanjeevani Life Beyond
Cancer, is a pioneering event that brings together experts from various disciplines—oncology,
surgery, nutrition, yoga, psychotherapy, homeopathy, an integrative approach to cancer care.
The inaugural conference was held on April 18, 2024, marking a significant step towards
integrating diverse healing modalities into mainstream cancer treatment in India.
The 2nd Edition held at Goa from 2nd to 5th Apr 25 was Attended by over 300+ participants.
By fostering collaboration among medical professionals, caregivers, and survivors, NCICC aims to create
a new narrative in healthcare that emphasizes comprehensive, patient-centred care.
Collaborations
Policy Makers - NITI Aayog, Central and State Health Departments.
34 Hospitals including Tata Memorial Hospital, AIIMS, State RCCs and Trust run
Cancer Hospitals across Bharat
CSR Partners - Major supporters include RITES, MDL, RailTel, RVNL, IRFC, LIC, ONGC, Indian Oil, BPCL,
HPCL, GAIL, HAL, PFC, NTPC, KVIC, Jewelex Foundation, PC Shah Foundation, Nischal Israni Foundation,
Blue Cross Laboratories, Jodhpur Association, Ashwini Charitable Trust, Lakhi Trust, Zemosa
Technologies, Godavari Ispat and Power, Geno Foundation, Dempo Foundation, Ashray Developers, Goa
Cancer Society, Rotary Club, Inner Wheel Club.
Academic Partners - Tata Memorial Centre, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Nirmala Niketan College of
Social Work and over 40 of top social work institutions across Bharat.
Global Allies - International wellness organizations and cancer networks for Integrative Cancer Care
These partnerships have enabled funding, scaling, training, and research collaborations that benefit
thousands of beneficiaries.
As of 2025, Sanjeevani has:
- Presence in 20+ cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Nagpur, Pune, Guwahati, Goa, Dehradun,
Hyderabad, Ranchi, Ahmedabad and many more.
- Set up 34 Integrative Care Centers.
- Trained over 285 CanSaarthis.
- Benefitted over 15 million+ patients and caregivers.
- Conducted over 5000+ holistic healing-building sessions under Satori and Srjan.
- Reached 2.50 Lakh people through awareness campaigns.
Impact:
The organization’s impact spans four levels:
a) Individual
- Enhanced emotional and mental well-being of patients
- Survivors trained as caregivers now earn livelihoods and counsel others.
- Improved survival quality due to better lifestyle adherence.
b) Family
- Empowered family caregivers with skills and confidence.
- Reduced medical fatigue and burnout.
c) Institutional
- Hospitals now provide integrative care modules with Sanjeevani’s support.
- Improved patient compliance, satisfaction, and recovery indicators and
- Reduced patient dropouts
d) Community
- Early detection through awareness has increased.
- Stigma is reducing as survivors emerge as educators and leaders.
- Rural outreach has improved health-seeking behaviour.
Testimonials, case studies, and third-party assessments affirm the success of Sanjeevani’s model.
These can be accessed on www.sanjeevani-lifebeyondcancer.com
Challenges and Way Ahead
Despite its achievements, Sanjeevani faces several challenges:
- Scaling sustainably while maintaining quality.
- Securing consistent funding for grassroots work.
- Integrating with government policy frameworks more deeply.
- Adoption of integrative care by hospitals on a large scale.
The road ahead includes:
- Expanding to all Indian states by 2030.
- Setting up the Skill Development Institute for Cancer Caregivers at Goa.
- Leveraging technology for e-learning and virtual counselling.
-Deepening research in integrative oncology with academic bodies.
Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer is not just a non-profit; it is a movement that places humanity, healing,
and hope at the centre of cancer care.
From supporting the underserved to redefining survivorship with purpose and dignity, its journey is
both inspiring and transformative. By continuing to build collaborations, empower individuals, and
advocate holistic care, Sanjeevani stands as a model for how civil society can powerfully complement
medical systems in India's fight against cancer.
If you’d like to be a part of this movement and our journey, you can take action today. You can volunteer with us here or Donate towards the change.