Dr Harmala Gupta

Harmala, a cancer survivor, has pioneered the setting up of cancer support services in India. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1986, at the age of 33, while studying for a Ph.D. in Montreal, she returned to New Delhi to start the first cancer support group in India. In 1996, she founded ‘CanSupport’ to meet the needs of 80% of India’s cancer patients who present to a cancer centre with advanced disease.

CanSupport provides palliative care and support to approximately 600 people affected by cancer at any one time. It has 11 roving teams of doctors, nurses and counselors, who bring high quality care to the doorstep of patients living in New Delhi and its adjoining areas. Since the focus is on the less privileged, the service is offered free of charge. Those under care of the home care teams have access to a help-line and receive subsidized medicines, equipment and, when needed, food supplies. CanSupport volunteers run a Day Care for children and adults with cancer as well as a peer-based support group.

Harmala is also Founder-President of Cancer Care India, the first national level organization of cancer support groups in India. She is married and has a 27 year old son.