Vidya Balan leads nationwide movement urging timely detection to save lives
Mumbai, August 20, 2025: The third edition of the Sanjeevani National Convention, jointly organized by Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation, News18 Network, and knowledge partner Tata Trusts, brought together leaders from healthcare, government, civil society, and the private sector to address India’s growing cancer crisis. With 1.57 million new cancer cases projected in 2025—over 70% still detected at late stages—the convention spotlighted the urgent need to shift from awareness to early action through mass screening.
Over the past 700 days, Sanjeevani has grown into a high-impact, multi-platform campaign, reaching 600 million people via News18’s TV network and generating 13 million digital engagements. Its ground interventions include cancer screening camps, school workshops, corporate health programs, and survivor-led storytelling that destigmatizes cancer and emphasizes hope.
Vidya Balan’s Call to Action
Renowned actor and Sanjeevani ambassador Vidya Balan urged citizens to prioritize early screening. “We must stop waiting for a crisis to prioritise ourselves. Cancer shakes identity, confidence, and family — but early detection gives us power, time, and hope,” she said, addressing survivors and families.
One of the convention’s most powerful moments was ‘Antaratma’, a survivor-led ramp show celebrating resilience and second chances. Survivors walked the stage as professionals, parents, educators, and creators, underscoring that survival is not an end, but a continuation of life.
Voices of Leadership
Prakash Abitkar, Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra, praised the Sanjeevani initiative, highlighting government efforts to expand cancer screening. “Since February, over 2.5 crore rural women have been screened under the Mahatma Phule Arogya Campaign. Together with initiatives like Sanjeevani, we can enable early detection and save lives.”
KVS Manian, CEO, Federal Bank, said: “Health is not an expense but an investment in the nation’s balance sheet. Through Sanjeevani, we have touched over 20,000 lives and aim to reach another 20,000 this year. Our mission blends compassion with innovation to ensure families feel supported.”
Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, added: “With 70% of cancers still diagnosed too late, early screening is a moral imperative. This partnership shows what’s possible when diverse stakeholders unite with purpose. Sanjeevani is not just a campaign, it is a pledge to rewrite India’s healthcare story.”
Avinash Kaul, CEO – Network18 (Broadcast) & MD, A+E Networks, noted: “Our role is to amplify courage and create conversations that matter. Sanjeevani is placing survivors and communities at the heart of India’s cancer narrative and turning awareness into action.”
The Road Ahead
In 2025, Sanjeevani aims to make cancer screening routine across rural and under-served regions. With a focus on schoolgirls, daily wage workers, and women in informal sectors, the program will expand community partnerships, normalize conversations around cancer, and encourage preventive screenings.
As India stands united against cancer, Sanjeevani’s legacy lies not only in awareness but in action—in every screening that saves a life, every survivor who inspires, and every community that embraces early detection as a collective responsibility.
About Sanjeevani
Launched in 2022, Sanjeevani is a nationwide awareness-to-action movement that blends media outreach, grassroots interventions, and survivor storytelling to tackle India’s escalating cancer burden. Anchored by partnerships between Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation, News18 Network, and Tata Trusts, it is redefining how India responds to cancer through collective resolve.
