Oral Cancer Awareness Program & Cancer Survivor Meet 2026

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026, a deeply impactful and unique Cancer Survivor Meet was jointly conceptualized, organized, and executed by Dr. Apoorva Mishra and Dr. Prachet Dakshinkar, with the vital support of Dr. Pawar, Dr. Asawa, and Cardion Hospital.

​The core mission of this physician-led initiative was to foster peer-to-peer motivation and patient empowerment. The meet brought together a community of oral cancer survivors successfully treated by the lead surgeons to interact directly with recently operated patients, providing them with critical psychological strength, reassurance, and hope for their recovery journeys.

​Moving away from traditional clinical seminars, the event celebrated survivorship as a joyful triumph of life. To promote holistic and therapeutic healing, the program incorporated interactive games, live music, onco-physiotherapy exercises (led by Dr. Devayani Thakre), and shared meals. A profound highlight of the event was the active engagement of the patients themselves, who stepped forward to share personal insights, give feedback on their clinical care, and deliver powerful public messages (Sandesh) urging the community to reject tobacco. This event successfully transformed clinical survivors into active 'Persons of Impact' for society—mobilizing them to raise grassroots awareness, champion early detection, and inspire others fighting head and neck cancers."