Mumbai, (Maharashtra), [India], November 05, 2024 – Lung Connect India Foundation, founded by Mr. Sanjeev Sharma in 2018, is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to supporting lung cancer patients and caregivers across India. With its base in Mumbai, the foundation has rapidly established itself as a comprehensive support network, tirelessly advocating for lung cancer awareness, early detection, and affordable treatment options. Mr. Sharma, who has worked with cancer patients and the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai for over 15 years, was inspired to launch the organization after seeing the urgency for accessible medications and support for patients in remote areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A key member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Lung Connect India Foundation’s contributions are recognized both nationally and internationally. This year, Director Lt. Ravi Prakash was awarded a Patient Advocacy honor by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), a testament to the organization’s impactful initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Sharma has been invited to speak on lung cancer awareness at prominent events, including a session at King’s College, London, and the US-India Moonshot Dialog conference. These engagements reflect the foundation’s dedication to advocating for comprehensive lung cancer treatment, including its recent appeal in the Rajya Sabha to incorporate essential, high-cost tests for targeted therapy under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. LCIF has also been featured on The Lancet “largest community of lung cancer advocates, patients, and caregiver”.
The core of Lung Connect India Foundation’s work lies in its innovative support group meetings, held consistently online, making them accessible to lung cancer patients and their caregivers nationwide. These meetings are structured to provide holistic care, featuring expert speakers, guidance from physicians, and facilitated interactions among patients and caregivers. Having held over 120 uninterrupted support sessions, Lung Connect India Foundation remains dedicated to ensuring that no patient feels isolated on their journey. To date, the organization has reached 39,000 patients physically and an impressive 5 million people virtually.
Despite significant strides, lung cancer awareness in India remains a critical issue, as over 50% of cases are diagnosed at Stage 4. Lung Connect India Foundation’s mission is to bring every patient and caregiver under one roof, promoting awareness of early screening as a preventive tool and serving as a strong advocate for reducing the cost of cancer treatment in India.
The foundation also envisions a healthcare system where treatment for lung cancer is accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. With initiatives focused on awareness, early detection, and advocacy, Lung Connect India Foundation continues to provide an essential, unique resource in India and Southeast Asia as the first dedicated lung cancer support group of its kind.
