Chennai, Aug 31: Apollo Cancer Centres, Vanagaram launched ‘Apollo Nambikkai’, a cancer survivorship support community designed to help survivors and caregivers stay connected, informed and supported after active treatment.
The initiative was launched as part of a Cancer Survivors Programme, which brought together around 100 cancer survivors and caregivers to honour their journeys and recognise the challenges that can continue even after treatment ends.
For many people, completing cancer treatment is a major milestone, but life after treatment can bring new questions, from managing nutrition and lifestyle changes to emotional wellbeing, rehabilitation, returning to work and coping with the fear of recurrence. Apollo Nambikkai aims to provide a trusted space where survivors and caregivers can connect with others who have been through similar experiences and access credible guidance from healthcare professionals.
The community will initially serve Apollo Cancer Centres Vanagaram and will be open to across all units – Apollo survivors or caregivers irrespective of treatment centre. Membership will be free, with registration available through mobile.
A dedicated WhatsApp community will enable members to stay engaged through expert sessions, survivor interactions, nutrition and lifestyle guidance, psychological wellbeing sessions, webinars, community meets, etc. On a regular basis, a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, dietitians, psychologists/psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals will address the physical, emotional and social aspects of survivorship through WhatsApp messages.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Suresh, HOD & Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, Vanagaram, said,
“Completing treatment is an important milestone, but survivorship comes with its own set of questions and challenges. Apollo Nambikkai is about creating a community where survivors and caregivers can share their experiences, find reliable guidance and draw strength from one another. We want people to know that they do not have to navigate life after cancer alone.”
The programme was attended by Mr. Badava Gopi, Comedian and Actor, Kollywood, as Special Guest. Also present were Mr. John Chandy, CBO, Group Oncology, Apollo Hospitals and Mr. Kaarthik Ramamurthy, COO, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram.
Commenting on Apollo’s broader vision for survivorship care, Mr. John Chandy, CBO, Group Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, said,
“Cancer care goes beyond active treatment. Survivors often need continued medical, emotional and rehabilitative support as they return to everyday life. At Apollo, we see survivorship as an integral part of the cancer care journey. Through Apollo Nambikkai, we aim to build a supportive ecosystem that connects survivors and caregivers with the guidance, rehabilitation and peer support they need to move forward with greater confidence and quality of life.”
About Apollo Hospitals: Apollo revolutionized healthcare when Dr. Prathap Reddy opened the first hospital in Chennai in 1983. Today, Apollo is the world’s largest integrated healthcare platform with over 10,400 beds across 76 hospitals, 6,600+ pharmacies, 264 clinics, 2,182 diagnostic centres, and 800+ telemedicine centres. It is one of the world’s leading cardiac centers, having performed over 3,00,000 angioplasties and 2,00,000 surgeries. Apollo continues to invest in research and innovation to bring the most innovative technologies, equipment, and treatment protocols to ensure patients have access to the best care in the world. Apollo’s 1,20,000 family members are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and leaving the world better than we found it.