At just 18, Payal Kumari from Bihar is already challenging expectations. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a teenager, she faced months of intensive treatment at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai. But today, Payal is not only a survivor—she’s a BTech computer science student at United Institute of Technology in Coimbatore. For three consecutive academic years, TMC’s ImPaCCT Foundation has supported her education. Her goal is clear: to become a software engineer and help others rebuild after illness.
Turning Treatment into Opportunity
In another inspiring case, 23-year-old Raja Mohiuddin Shaikh from Akola, diagnosed with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma, is now in the final year of his MBBS at Grant Medical College. Supported financially and emotionally by TMC, Raja was never forced to pause his dreams. “The hospital not only saved my life, but also helped me build a future,” he reflects.
Education as a Tool for Reintegration
These stories highlight a powerful shift in India’s approach to childhood and young adult cancer care. At the forefront is the ImPaCCT Foundation, which has supported 603 survivors from low-income families with ₹2.83 crore in educational aid between 2021 and 2025. From village schools to engineering campuses, the foundation is enabling young people to reclaim their futures.
Growing Numbers, Expanding Support
The number of children diagnosed with cancer at TMC has grown rapidly—from 1,131 cases in 2010 to 3,874 in 2024. As of May 2025, 1,544 new cases have already been registered, mostly from underserved regions like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. TMC’s ACT (After Completion of Therapy) Clinic, which began in 1991, now supports 5,681 survivors.
A Rapidly Scaling Initiative
The ImPaCCT Foundation’s reach has grown significantly:
- In 2021–22, 61 students received ₹14.56 lakh.
- In 2022–23, 75 students received ₹16.11 lakh.
- In 2023–24, support jumped to 361 students and ₹1.15 crore.
- By 2024–25, it peaked at 421 students and ₹1.37 crore.
In total, the programme has facilitated 918 enrolments over four years.
Breaking Barriers in Education
The aid covers all levels—263 students in primary school, 314 in secondary, 174 in higher secondary, and 167 in college or vocational training. Many, like Payal and Raja, are first-generation college students.
Their fields of study are wide-ranging: 40 in engineering, 21 in commerce, 17 in computer science, 12 in pharmacy, four in social work, and three in nursing. Some are even pursuing law, hotel management, or architecture—proving that life after cancer can be just as ambitious.
Support Beyond Tuition
As reported by Hindustan Times, the foundation doesn’t stop at fees. It covers books, transport, hostel expenses, and mentoring. Survivors also receive career counselling and psychosocial support, critical for reintegration. “Education transforms our survivors,” says Dr. Maya Prasad, head of TMC’s Survivorship Program. “They stop seeing themselves as patients—and start dreaming again.”
A National Model of Hope
TMC’s approach is now inspiring similar programmes across India. “This support gave our children more than just a second chance at school—it gave them a future,” says Shalini Jatia, ImPaCCT Foundation officer-in-charge.
As cancer survival rates improve, TMC’s model reminds us that care must extend beyond the hospital—into classrooms, careers, and communities. Survivorship, in this model, isn’t the end of a journey. It’s the beginning of a new one.