CanKids Hosts Fundraising Concert to Support Treatment for Children with Cancer
A fundraising concert organised by CanKids KidsCan and Bansuri Music Group brought together artists, doctors, and public officials on November 9 to raise support for Mahacares for Kids With Cancer, part of CanKids’ ongoing ‘Ban Jayenge Gold’ childhood cancer awareness campaign.
The “Sunehre Swar – Ban Jayenge Gold” event, held in Mumbai, was a music and advocacy event that brought together various senior leaders from the health and education sectors that operate in Maharashtra. Among those present for this event were Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee (Metropolitan Commissioner for the MMRDA), Shri Ranjeet Deol (Principal Secretary of School Education & Sports), Dr. Shripad Banavali (Tata Memorial Centre), and Dr. Purna Kurkure (SRCC Children’s Hospital). The evening began with performances by singers Dr. Rahul Joshi, Rajessh Iyer, and Sangeeta Malekar, and was dedicated to children who are undergoing treatment for cancer.
Speaking at the event, Poonam Bagai, Founder-Chairman of CanKids, outlined the organisation’s ongoing work in Maharashtra, from establishing the first Canshala school in 2012 to partnering with the state government through two health MoUs in 2019. She said the organisation aims to raise Rs. 3.5 crore for two upcoming initiatives: Rs. 1.5 crore for emergency medical assistance for 1,000 children at Tata Memorial Hospital, and Rs. 2 crore to strengthen regional childhood cancer units in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Pune, and Kolhapur-Sangli.
Dr. Mukherjee noted that 73% of children with cancer in Maharashtra currently access care and expressed confidence that collective effort could help reach full coverage. Dr. Banavali highlighted that childhood cancers are “highly curable,” adding that support services such as education, accommodation, and nutrition provided by groups like CanKids are essential alongside treatment.
Shri Ranjeet Deol (IAS) said, “I am delighted to observe that through its Can Shala for Life and other educational programs, CanKids is supporting the Right to Education for children with cancer. This ensures that they don’t drop out of school while undergoing prolonged treatment. He assured support and engagement with CanKids in all aspects related to these programs in Maharashtra.”
The evening concluded with a gathering of children, family members, and others who had attended the event to support the performers in a show of unity while chanting, “Cancer Ko Dhishoom Dhishoom! Ban Jayenge Gold.”
