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Ten survivors aged between 17 years and 32 years
Two from Lucknow, three from Delhi, one from Kolkata, and four from Mumbai will take to the marathon course
Mumbai, 16th January 2025 – Ten cancer survivors will participate in the prestigious Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025. Competing with participants from across the globe – two from Lucknow, three from Delhi, one from Kolkata, and four from Mumbai, will take to the marathon course. Participating under the aegis of CanKids KidsCan, the National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India, these marathon runners will participate in the ‘Dream Run’ category, symbolizing their strength, determination.
For the 15th consecutive year, CanKids KidsCan will participate in this iconic event, spotlighting the courage and resilience of childhood cancer survivors. For the last six years, CanKids’ survivors have been regularly participating in the marathon.
“The survivors are the heart of our mission,” said Ms 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.”
Among the survivors running in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 is 17-year-old Sumit Gupta, a passionate cricketer from Varanasi. Diagnosed with tuberculosis at 6 and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Stage 3) at 11, Sumit persevered through surgeries, chemotherapy, and setbacks, staying active and dedicated to his cricket dreams. Now training in Mumbai to represent India, Sumit’s participation is a powerful symbol of resilience and hope for children battling cancer.
Also participating is 21-year-old Atul Singh Rathod, a survivor of Retinoblastoma. Diagnosed with eye cancer at just 2, Atul triumphed with the unwavering support of his mother and exceptional care at AIIMS. Now thriving, he is running to raise awareness and funds for children with cancer, advocating for timely care as the key to overcoming childhood cancer.
Sugandha Kumari, a Germ Cell Tumor survivor who now leads over 200 cancer survivors in Uttar Pradesh, is also running, raising awareness and funds for children battling cancer.
Running alongside these survivors are 175 CanKids supporters, individual runners, and senior citizens. This group includes Ms Vidya, an avid marathoner who has completed over 100 half-marathons. Vidya comes especially from Singapore to participate in her 12th TMM for CanKids. “It’s a rush of energy and pride when I run along with childhood cancer survivors. It is also a very humbling experience when I see the energy and enthusiasm of the kids,” shared Vidya.
