The Lodhi Gardens Adda on 24th May, where we saw a simple daily morning walk turn into a passionate movement for a cause.

The Lodhi Gardens Adda in Delhi on a hot summer morning became a space beyond GIST and CML; it encompassed cancer as a whole and what it means to live with the diagnosis for those impacted. 

Exactly what Chai for Cancer has aimed to do all these years – create a safe space where all can share their own cancer experiences without fear of shame and stigma.  

At the Adda which included a ready stream of morning walkers, FOM City Chapter Leaders and volunteers, their friends and family, it became as much about spreading awareness, as it was about raising funds and sharing of important updates in the world cancer. Most of all it was about sharing stories without any fear or judgment and it is this which became an inspiration for all.

We were so happy when Dr. Dinesh Bhurani, Director, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at RGCIRC, who had hosted Saturday’s Adda at his institute joined us adding immense value to the gathering . He held the guests enthralled with his sensitive and insightful sharings. Chatting with the group of young students present he involved them and their teachers in an engaged discussion on their career goals and very importantly spoke about the importance today of the HPV vaccine because of which he said, cervical cancer was completely gone from Australia. Being one of the commonest cancers in women, we now had the tool to prevent it! 

Thank you Aruna Naqvi for sending the students from Vidya Niketan to join us at the Adda. It was a joy to see them participate with so much curiosity and eagerness to learn. 

Thank you children for giving us your Sunday morning . 

Special thanks to our radio partners Red FM for their awareness campaigns that ran throughout the week and to all who came and made this possible. 

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On 23rd May, the first Chai for Cancer Adda of Season 13 in Delhi was, as always, hosted by the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre. Led by Dr. Dinesh Bhurani the Director, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at RGCIRC and his team over a 100 cups of chai were raised to honour the cause. 

The energy and enthusiasm at the Adda was unmatched. Each cup raised brought more hope to the cause. It was an honour to have the CEO of the institution, Shri Gangwar join us for the Adda.

Special and grateful thanks to our Friends of Max, Delhi City Chapter Leaders for being there in full strength and to our radio partner Red FM for joining us.

Thank you Delhi for your unwavering support and generosity.

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It almost felt like a homecoming. Every year, a new season of Chai for Cancer is launched on the second Sunday of May bringing together a community bound by compassion, hope and purpose. This year it was The Taj Mahal Tea House in Bandra that stood in for Viji’s home which anyway she does it her home away from home.

With the steadfast support of friends and well-wishers, some of whom have stood with the campaign since its very inception and many who have joined along the way, the gathering felt like a close-knit family coming together once again, raising their cups for the cause.

The Chai for Cancer Launch of Season 13 on May 10 in Mumbai, was an afternoon filled with warmth, laughter, conversations and camaraderie, as people came together so generously in solidarity for a cause that continues to touch countless lives.

What began as a Sunday morning Adda effortlessly stretched well into the afternoon, celebrated on Mother’s Day making it even more special!

We are deeply humbled by how far Chai for Cancer has come. What started years ago as a modest initiative to create awareness and raise funds for the well-being of cancer patients has today grown into a movement embraced by friends, families, members of the medical fraternity, supporters from social media and countless well-wishers who believe in the cause.

It is this continued love and encouragement that inspires us to keep going further with every season.

A special mention to our long-time Radio Partners, Red FM, who continue to amplify our message year after year, helping Chai for Cancer grow stronger with every passing season. And to all our donors and supporters who are the real heroes of Chai for Cancer!

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They hosted the Adda for their friends, family, fellow physicians and Rotarians, creating an engaging space for meaningful cancer conversations. Joining them were Friends of Max Managing Trustee Viji Venkatesh and City Chapter Leaders, Prashant and his wife Rashmi and Nitesh, along with The Max India Leadership Team, Beena and Priyanka.

The evening had everything it needed, an eager audience keen to know more and an equally enthusiastic FOM and Max team willing to share. Stories were exchanged, experiences were shared and slowly new ideas began to take shape, paving the way for future collaborations.

As discussions turned into contributions and donations, the evening beautifully transitioned into a celebration, complete with a special Chai for Cancer cake and music that brought everyone together.

Thank you, Dr. Pritanjali and Dr. V. P. Singh, for making this Adda such a success and to everyone who raised their cups in support of the cause!

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The energetic and enthusiastic participation of the Academy, students, their parents and teacher stood as a testament to the love and respect they all have for you.

As the musical afternoon unfolded, we witnessed so much talent and clearly age and genre of music was no barrier.

The highlight of the show was of course, the grand finale by Oorja Amplified which was absolutely electrifying and brought everyone to their feet.

Once again we were reminded of the power of music and how it brings people together for a cause.

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In the form of an elegant Baithak titled Raaz-e-Ulfat , this unique Adda featured Anu sharing a poignant tale of love and compassion in the face of a sudden cancer diagnosis beautifully punctuated with ghazals performed by Delhi’s well known Lawyer – Singer, Meghna Mital. Accompanying Meghna on the stage were two talented young musicians, Purav on the harmonium and Dhaivat Mehta on the tabla.

Listening to the magic they created one would never have believed the three of them were on stage together for the first time.

A special thank you to Anu’s circle of friends, well-wishers and peers from the Andheri–Versova Western Suburban neighborhood. Their energy and commitment truly matched hers. Every guest stayed on through the performance and then over delicious chai, samosa and kachori continued the heart felt interactions. Needless to say, everyone contributed generously to the cause.

A special shoutout to our Radio Partners Red FM and their RJ Jiya for being present and helping to amplify our voice.

The evening was about a deeply felt story set to haunting music, but most importantly it was about hope, courage, and that rare sense of community that a Chai for Cancer Adda always managed to bring together.

Here’s to more power to our host Anu and to this special Chai for Cancer community, which is growing stronger with each passing year.

Thank you Friends of Max Trustees and Mumbai Volunteers who added their energies to the evening.

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The Saturday night of 24^th January was truly something special. Paushali and Farrukh’s Musical Chai for Cancer Adda brought together over 140 people on X(formerly Twitter)and more than 1500 joining from outside X, all for their love of music and a common cause. 

Powered by the melodious voices of Paushali and Farrukh, both passionate singers, the evening was a blend of songs that touched every kind of music lover, each note carrying hope and compassion for patients who are living with cancer and on lifelong treatment.

Where did those two hours go? Honestly, don’t ask us. We were happily lost, listening to one beautiful song after another. And the generosity flowed just as freely, over 400 cups of chai raised, poured straight from the heart.

A heartfelt thank you to Manvendra Jha, Joylina Cecil Faroz, AK Singh, Aadil Desai, Tata Nagendra Mouli, Nimish Dubey, Kokee Sachdeva, Kanchan Singh, Srinath, Sameer Nai, Kausar J Hilaly, Ishi, Vivek Gupta, AK Sinha, Jabin, Aishwarya Kumari and Mukesh Marda for standing by and supporting the cause so generously.

And a special note of gratitude to Paushali and Farrukh, thank you for lending not just your voice but your hearts too, to Chai for Cancer and patients living with cancer.

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And oh, what magic! Being a Music Adda, it was music that ruled the evening. A trained Carnatic vocalist, Vidya set the tone with her soulful invocation and the evening only grew brighter as the powerhouse band of young musicians Anirudh Iyer- Vocal, Bhushan Chavan- Guitar, Bharat Sundar Rajan- Keyboards, Prajeeth Nair – Tabla and handsonic joined her to transform the room to an eclectic mix of Hindi film favorites, Tamil chartbusters and stirring Sufi melodies.

Foot-tapping? Absolutely. Heart-warming? Without a doubt. Unforgettable? 100%.

From all of us at Friends of Max, a huge thank you for a meaningful evening filled with chai, delicious samosas, shared stories and heartfelt cancer conversations.

A special shoutout to everyone who contributed to the cause with such generosity, who made the evening more special.

Thank you for joining us to #raiseyourcup and #DrinkToACause bringing #hopeanddignity to patients living with cancer and on lifelong treatment.

And Thank You Vidya Harikrishna for all the efforts you put in. We will always remain grateful.

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On Sunday, 16th November the almost annual Chai for Cancer Adda held at the iconic Victoria Memorial came alive once again, as we raised our collective voice for patients living with cancer and their families.

From 6:30 am onwards, in a truly magical morning setting, morning walkers, young roller skaters with their trainers and parents, Friends of Max City Chapter Leaders, members from The Max Foundation India team, and our ever-energetic partners from Red FM RJ Anup Anyaman Majumdar RJ Neil – Red FM every one of you made this Adda special.

Thank you for showing up, for giving, for caring, and for owning the cause.

The Cup of Hope stands tall only because you stand with us.

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Guests, doctors, staff, volunteers, patient advocates and even people waiting in the OPD Hall stepped forward, raised a cup and supported the cause with quiet strength and genuine compassion.

Over steaming kullads of chai, physicians, patients, caregivers and families came together — talking, sharing, listening and discovering how one simple cup of chai can bring hope into the lives of those touched by cancer.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Tata Medical Center team, our dedicated Friends of Max volunteers, The Max Foundation India team, Red FM’s RJ Anup and every single person who joined us and held the cause close to their heart.

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