CanKids was a high profile participant in the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2025 which happened on 19 January 2025. TMM, now in its 15th year, was far more than a run of the mill marathon. The event gave CanKids the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for children battling cancer, highlighting the resilience and strength of young cancer survivors. In 2025, over 67 individuals represented CanKids in the marathon. In their ranks were 10 childhood cancer survivors from different parts of India who participated in the Dream Run category. The runners also included supporters, caregivers and a team from Servier India.
“The survivors are the heart of our mission,” said Poonam Bagai, founder-chairman of CanKids and a cancer survivor herself. “Their participation in the Tata Mumbai Marathon symbolizes the strength, hope and determination it takes to fight and overcome cancer. They are not just survivors but warriors who inspire us all,” she added.
A prominent childhood cancer survivor who took part in the event was 21-year-old Atul Singh Rathod. Diagnosed with Retinoblastoma when merely two years, Atul has defeated cancer with the support of his mother and exceptional care at AIIMS. Now an integral member of the CanKids team, he advocates for early cancer detection and treatment.
Reminiscing on TMM 2025, Atul says he covered a distance of 5.9 kms in the Dream Run category. The event, he says, was a runaway success. “ We raised awareness about childhood cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment. Additionally we mobilized funds that will directly support CanKids’ initiatives, ensuring children with cancer receive the care and support they need. The enthusiasm and collective effort of the participants were inspiring and reaffirmed the power of community in driving change.”
Among the other gutsy survivors who participated in TMM 2025 was 17-year-old Sumit Gupta, a passionate cricketer from Varanasi. At the age of 3 years, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Later at 11, it was found that he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma( stage 3) . Sumit displayed remarkable fortitude despite the deadly diagnosis, Even as he was subjected to painful surgeries, chemotherapy and setbacks, he continued to pursue his dream of being an ace cricketer. Now he is training in Mumbai to represent India.
CanKids has been a long time collaborator with United Way Mumbai for the event. Since 2009, United Way Mumbai has been the official Philanthropy Partner for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, providing a platform for runners to contribute to meaningful causes. Through United Way Mumbai, CanKids successfully emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis, quality treatment and long-term support in its mission to improve childhood cancer care across India. The collaboration also played a crucial role in enabling CanKids to raise awareness, secure funding and advocate for better policies to support children with cancer.
The funds raised by CanKids will enable the organization to strengthen its holistic childhood cancer care model, which includes medical aid and treatment support, palliative care and psychological counselling, education through CanShalas, nutrition and transportation support, and 141 Hospital Support Units across India.
TMM continues to enthuse supporters, Running along with childhood cancer survivors were 175 CanKids supporters, individuals runners and senior citizens. In their ranks was Singapore-based computer engineer Vidya. who has taken part in TMM every year since 2013. She is an avid marathoner who has completed over 100 half-marathons. Drawn by the energy, camaraderie and the celebration of Mumbai’s spirit, she says that she is motivated to participate in the event by a long term desire to support a social cause. CanKids is a natural choice she says. Vidya’s entire family has been avid supporters of CanKids and some have run marathon. Now she is all set for next year’s run.
A prominent childhood cancer survivor who took part in the event was 21-year-old Atul Singh Rathod. Diagnosed with Retinoblastoma when merely two years, Atul has defeated cancer with the support of his mother and exceptional care at AIIMS. Now an integral member of the CanKids team, he advocates for early cancer detection and treatment.
Reminiscing on TMM 2025, Atul says he covered a distance of 5.9 kms in the Dream Run category. The event, he says, was a runaway success. “ We raised awareness about childhood cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment. Additionally we mobilized funds that will directly support CanKids’ initiatives, ensuring children with cancer receive the care and support they need. The enthusiasm and collective effort of the participants were inspiring and reaffirmed the power of community in driving change.”
Among the other gutsy survivors who participated in TMM 2025 was 17-year-old Sumit Gupta, a passionate cricketer from Varanasi. At the age of 3 years, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Later at 11, it was found that he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma( stage 3) . Sumit displayed remarkable fortitude despite the deadly diagnosis, Even as he was subjected to painful surgeries, chemotherapy and setbacks, he continued to pursue his dream of being an ace cricketer. Now he is training in Mumbai to represent India.
CanKids has been a long time collaborator with United Way Mumbai for the event. Since 2009, United Way Mumbai has been the official Philanthropy Partner for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, providing a platform for runners to contribute to meaningful causes. Through United Way Mumbai, CanKids successfully emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis, quality treatment and long-term support in its mission to improve childhood cancer care across India. The collaboration also played a crucial role in enabling CanKids to raise awareness, secure funding and advocate for better policies to support children with cancer.
The funds raised by CanKids will enable the organization to strengthen its holistic childhood cancer care model, which includes medical aid and treatment support, palliative care and psychological counselling, education through CanShalas, nutrition and transportation support, and 141 Hospital Support Units across India.
TMM continues to enthuse supporters, Running along with childhood cancer survivors were 175 CanKids supporters, individuals runners and senior citizens. In their ranks was Singapore-based computer engineer Vidya. who has taken part in TMM every year since 2013. She is an avid marathoner who has completed over 100 half-marathons. Drawn by the energy, camaraderie and the celebration of Mumbai’s spirit, she says that she is motivated to participate in the event by a long term desire to support a social cause. CanKids is a natural choice she says. Vidya’s entire family has been avid supporters of CanKids and some have run marathon. Now she is all set for next year’s run.
