ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE

Dr. Mandakini Parihar
The website www.copewithcancer.org for the initiative “cope with cancer” an online & tele-counseling service was launched in July 2013, in memory of Dr Mandakini Parihar who succumbed to Leukaemia in September 2012.
During her illness she and her family felt that there was inadequate information about resources for cancer patients and caregivers and a need for counseling.
After her demise, her family decided to start “cope with cancer” with specific emphasis on the needs of the caregivers.
The trust identifies and helps address underserved areas in cancer care in India, thus helping patients and caregivers cope with cancer.
For access to Mandakini’s Memorial website Click Here
HISTORY
2013
In Jul 2013 Cope with Cancer website was initiated and later in August Cope with Cancer website soft launched with about 20+ pages. In the course of the year Cope with Cancer updated to 120+ pages. More information on resources & related topics for cancer patients and caregivers added. We changed the website from static to dynamic. In September 2013 itself we had 150000 hits on the website – 7000 hits per month
In September we tied up with Helpline: iCALL for tele counseling and later with Helpline: Aasra.
Nov 2013 we tied up with Midtown Parel for concessional radiology investigations for TMH patients
2014
At the rate of 9000 hits per month we had over 100,000 visitors assisted through cope with cancer website and by December 350,000 patients and caregivers were assisted through the website
2014 saw us run a number of awareness drives. Hair donation awareness program was launched, we participated in Lavasa Car Rally. We associated with Red FM Cochin for hair donation drive in Kerala and subsequently a Hair donation awareness program along with the Tuning Folks. We tied up with R K wigs Pankaj Bhupatkar for wigs.
We initiated discounted mammography with Suburban Diagnostics, Jankharia Imaging, Dr Aman Daftary’s Clinic, Dr Ambrish Dalal’s clinic & Dr Gala’s clinic. Discounted prosthesis and services offered on CopewithCancer website
Counselors Training program was launched in September 2014, where Dr. Nagesh Simha, a specialist in palliative care gave a lecture on “Psychosocial and spiritual issues in palliative care” at TISS to the students of psychiatry.
In September, we started disbursing funds for investigations and treatment for patients at Tata Hospital Mumbai through MSW department.
2015
In January we started disbursing free wigs to women patients in Tata Hospital parel. In March we had a wig donation program in TMH & felicitation of Madat Trust for activities done at TMH. Again we partnered with Red FM Cochin hair donation drive in Kerala
In June cope with cancer partnered with Association of Medical Consultants for spreading awareness about cancer. Superb performance by Sivamani and Runa Sivamani to celebrate Doctors Day at In Orbit mall Malad.
In July educational & financial aid given to cancer victors’ (computer and funds)
In July as a part of Doctors Day program, we presented the activities the association with AMC for the year 2015 – 16.
In September Helpdesk was started in TMH Golden Jubilee Building with volunteers to assist patients
By December 700,000 cancer patients and caregivers were benefited through our online and telephonic counseling service and our website
2016
In January we started Helpdesk, wig donation, financial assistance and post op counseling in ACTREC Tata, Kharghar. We also attended counseling workshop organized at Actrec
Awareness program for cope with cancer with the Tuning Folks was organised
In March we started post operation counseling sessions with breast OPD
In March we also participated in Hair donation drive and awareness program at Jaslok hospital on the occasion of Women’s Day
In April we started Pediatric ward counseling sessions and student volunteers spent time with patients in pediatric ward during their annual vacation. The volunteers started manning the genera Helpline & Helpdesk at Tata Hospital Parel
Come August the information on the cope with cancer website was re-organised and updated. The site has been spruced up with a with a new look and made mobile friendly.
2017
Patient Assistance in TMH
- April 2017, weekly Pediatric ward counseling sessions for pediatric ward patients and caregivers in TMH continues with a very positive feedback from the patients, caregivers and organizers.
- Volunteers continue to hold counseling & physiotherapy sessions for post-operative patients at breast OPD in Tata Memorial Hospital and Actrec
- Volunteers continue to accompany and explain the patients with language barrier to understand the doctor in the OPD
- Madat contributes at the main Helpline at Tata Memorial compound. Since April 2016 the volunteers started manning the general Helpline
- The volunteers guide, navigate and assist the patients, caregivers and other organizations
- Help in serving food at lunch time
- Guide the donors & Distribute donations
- April 2017, volunteers attended CME workshop organized at Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital to raise awareness about physical as well as psychological rehabilitation of the patients who are on cancer therapy was discussed. One of the most significant part of cancer therapy is Rehabilitation of the patient back to his / her physical and mental status as it was pre therapy.
2017 cont’d.
Financial Assistance to patients
- Financial assistance continues at TMH and Actrec. Average proportion spent is chemotherapy 70%, radiotherapy 14%, surgery 4%, & ICU support 12%
- Financial assistance given to patients for discounted radiotherapy to be done at Hiranandani Hospital.
Discounted Investigations
- Discounted radiology investigations & nuclear scans being provided to patients through CWC website. Adding more service providers for better rates and convenience.
- Negotiated terms with various institutions to provide discounted Radiotherapy and with onco-surgeons for economically challenged patients outside Tata Hospital
Hair & wig Donation
- Donate about 50 wigs per month at TMH and online requests
Patient comfort through Ola Cabs
- Ola Cabs continue to provide 20% discount to Tata Hospital patients to travel in comfortable & hygienic environment since April 2017. More than 600 patients and caregivers per month avail of this facility
2018
Patient Assistance in TMH
- April 2017, weekly Pediatric ward counseling sessions for pediatric ward patients and caregivers in TMH continues with a very positive feedback from the patients, caregivers and organizers.
- Volunteers continue to hold counseling & physiotherapy sessions for post-operative patients at breast OPD in Tata Memorial Hospital and Actrec
- Volunteers continue to accompany and explain the patients with language barrier to understand the doctor in the OPD
- Madat contributes at the main Helpline at Tata Memorial compound. Since April 2016 the volunteers started manning the general Helpline
- The volunteers guide, navigate and assist the patients, caregivers and other organizations
- Help in serving food at lunch time
- Guide the donors & Distribute donations
- April 2017, volunteers attended CME workshop organized at Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital to raise awareness about physical as well as psychological rehabilitation of the patients who are on cancer therapy was discussed. While most doctors are focusing on treatment of cancer and improving survival for patients, there are a few other factors which are important for patients, which do not seem to get focused on often. One of the most significant part of cancer therapy is Rehabilitation of the patient back to his / her physical and mental status as it was pre therapy
Website www.copewithcancer.org – Nationwide information about the resources needed by cancer patients & information about the disease and its effects
- August 2016 CWC website updated with more information and a new look
- Blogs, articles and information added on the website.
Financial Assistance to patients
- Financial assistance continues at TMH and Actrec. Average proportion spent is chemotherapy 70%, radiotherapy 14%, surgery 4%, & ICU support 12%
- Financial assistance given to patients for discounted radiotherapy to be done at Hiranandani Hospital.
Discounted Investigations
- Discounted radiology investigations & nuclear scans being provided to patients through CWC website. Adding more service providers for better rates and convenience.
- Negotiating terms with various institutions to provide discounted Radiotherapy for patients outside Tata Hospital
- Negotiating terms with various onco-surgeons to provide discounted surgeries for economically challenged patients.
Hair & wig Donation
- Tied up with another wigmaker as the demand for wigs is constantly increasing.
- Donate about 50 wigs per month at TMH and online requests
Awareness Programs
- April 2017, The Tuning Folks once again dedicated a musical evening to Madat trust for raising awareness about cancer care.
- September 2017 Project 6Kx6K launched to make more people aware and involved in cancer care.
- October 2017 Aapollo Multimedia supported Madat Trust activities to bring about an awareness through a musical program.
- November 2017, Sargam, The Musical Medicos, supported Madat Trust activities to bring about an awareness through a musical program.
- December 2017, photo booth organized at Christmas Party for children at TMH. Small attempt to make sure that they took with them some pleasant memories of Tata as well. More than 200 children with their caregivers were given a photograph clicked with props.
- February 2018 Aapollo Multimedia supported Madat Trust activities to bring about an awareness through a musical program. A brief AV of Madat was shown to the audience.
Patient comfort through Ola Cabs
Ola Cabs continue to provide 20% discount to Tata Hospital patients to travel in comfortable & hygienic environment since April 2017. More than 600 patients and caregivers per month avail of this facility.
Counseling – Online & Telephonic Counseling To Patients & Caregivers
- Cancer patients and caregivers continue to access the counseling helplines iCALL & Aasra for psycho social solutions to their problems.
Dietary Suggestions & Recipes By Cookery Experts
- ongoing updates
2019
Patient Assistance in TMH
- Weekly post-operative counseling & physiotherapy sessions for breast OPD patients in TMH continue with very positive feedback from the patients & caregivers in Tata Memorial Hospital Parel and Actrec
- Volunteers continue to hold counseling sessions for pediatric, gynec & thoracic ward patients
- Volunteers continue to accompany and explain the patients with language barrier to understand the doctor in the OPD
- Madat contributes at the main Helpline at Tata Memorial compound. Since April 2016 the volunteers started manning the general Helpline
- The volunteers guide, navigate and assist the patients, caregivers and other organizations
- Help in serving food at lunch time
- Guide the donors & Distribute donations
Website www.copewithcancer.org – Nationwide information about the resources needed by cancer patients & information about the disease and its effects
- CWC website updated with more information and a new look
- Blogs, articles and information added periodically on the website
Financial Assistance to patients
- Financial assistance continues at TMH and Actrec. Average proportion spent is chemotherapy 30%, radiotherapy 30%, surgery 22%, Investigations 8% & supportive care 10%
- Financial assistance continues for patients at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Varanasi
- Financial assistance given to the economically challenged patients for discounted chemotherapy, radiotherapy & surgery to be done at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, H N Reliance Hospital, MPCT Hospital, Asian cancer Institute, Masina Hospital, DNB Onco care, Holy spirit Hospital etc
- Tied up with a group of onco-surgeons called Mumbai Cancer Care – MCC who provide low cost packages for surgery. Madat Trust partially funds the needy patients.
- Negotiating terms with various Onco-Surgeons to provide discounted surgeries for economically challenged patients.
- Financial assistance with subsidy offered to TMH patients for diagnostic tests, the patients paying only what they would have paid at TMH
Discounted Investigations / treatment
- Discounted radiology investigations & nuclear scans being provided to patients through CWC website. Adding more service providers for better rates and convenience.
- Negotiating terms with various institutions to provide discounted Radiation therapy for patients outside Tata Hospital
Hair & wig Donation
- Donate appx 50 wigs per month to patients undergoing chemotherapy at Tata Hospital Mumbai, CMC Vellore, CIHSR Hospital at Dimapur Nagaland, Padhar Hospital Betul MP and to online requests from all over India.
- Hair donations received from individual donors, institutions & parlours from all over the country & abroad. More than 10000 men, women & children have donated as yet.
- February 2020, participated in Hairey’s Angel, the hair donation drive organised by Jaslok Hospital at kala Ghoda festival
Awareness Programs
- Promotion of Project 6Kx6K continues through various social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc to make more people aware and involved in cancer care.
- April 2019 Dr Anand Parihar participated in a panel discussion organised by Sanjeevani Trust for psycho-social support in cancer care which was attended by 700+ cancer patients, caregivers & guests.
- May, August, November 2019 Aadvita Multimedia supported Madat Trust activities to bring about awareness through a musical program.
- August 2019, The Tuning Folks once again dedicated a musical evening to Madat trust for raising awareness about cancer care.
- In September, volunteers attended the first of the three module organizational development program “Saksham” organised by S P Jain Institute of Management & Research through their Centre for Education in the Social Sector (CEdSS). This unique program was for patient support groups & patient advocates to bring sustainable impact towards patient centric care & to understand the increasing need of professionalism and sound process orientation required to manage and lead organizations.
- October 2019, formed a patient representative committee at Actrec with the directors & NGOs for patient benefit
- December 2019 participated in NGO workshop and the panel discussion at Lung Conference
- December 2019 attended the launch program of the Three Months Certification Course in Palliative Care at Mumbai. Course director Dr Naveen Salins (Professor and Head of the Department, Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Hospital).
- December 2019, tied up with Happydemics, the company founded by the singer Shaan to promote upcoming talent. Every month one singer would perform at Actrec for patients, caregivers & doctors
- January 2020, attended first Testicular Cancer Survivors meet at Tata Memorial Hospital in association with Gunvati Jagan Nath Kapoor Foundation for understanding testicular patients’ counseling
- Feb 2020 Aadvita Multimedia once again supported Madat Trust activities to bring about awareness through a musical program.
- In March 2020, begun a campaign “ShootIt” demonstrating the method of breast self examination on social media sites. We requested the relevant doctors to make a one minute clip informing the viewers about the importance of BSE.
Counseling – Online & Telephonic Counseling To Patients & Caregivers
- Cancer patients and caregivers call our counsellors for psycho social solutions to their problems
Dietary Suggestions & Recipes By Cookery Experts
- Ongoing updates
2020
During the current Covid19 pandemic, Madat Charitable Trust has contributed to the cause of humanity and has donned the role of the ‘corona warrior’ since March 2020.
Financial Assistance to patients-
- Financial assistance continued at TMH and Actrec. Average proportion spent is chemotherapy 30%, radiation therapy 30%, surgery 22%, Investigations 8% & supportive care 10%
- Financial assistance continued for patients at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Varanasi
- Madat Trust partially funds the economically challenged patients through various oncologist & onco-surgeons / hospitals who provide low cost packages for surgery, chemotherapy & radiation therapy.
- Financial assistance given to the economically challenged patients for discounted chemotherapy, radiotherapy & surgery to be done at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, H N Reliance Hospital, Reliance Hospital Navi Mumbai, Masina Hospital, Conwest Hospital, HCG ICS Hospital, Super Specialty Surgery Cancer hospital, Holy spirit Hospital etc
Patient Assistance in TMH-
- From March 2020 copewithcancer-Madat Trust helpdesk was un-operational & the volunteer activities at TMH were not possible.
Website www.copewithcancer.org – Nationwide information about the resources needed by cancer patients & information about the disease and its effects
- Every month, more than 15000 patients & caregivers accessed the website
- CWC website updated with more information
- Blogs, articles and information added periodically on the website.
Hair & wig Donation
- From March-Dec 2020, we had stopped accepting hair donations.
- Number of wigs donated had stopped from March –Dec 2020.
Awareness Programs
- Relevant talks by oncologist & onco surgeons from TMH were shared on copewithcancer Facebook page
- Promotion of Project 6Kx6K continues through various social media to make more people aware and involved in cancer care.
Counseling – Online & Telephonic Counseling To Patients & Caregivers
- Cancer patients and caregivers access the website copewithcancer.org for E-counseling & connect with our counselors for tele-counseling for non-medical, psycho-social solutions to their problems.
- Our counselors provide free psycho-social tele counseling to breast, pediatric, gynec & thoracic ward patients of Tata Hospital Mumbai & Actrec Kharghar
Dietary Suggestions & Recipes By Cookery Experts
- ongoing updates
2021
Financial Assistance to patients
- Financial assistance continues at TMH and Actrec in Mumbai & at TMH affiliated hospitals Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Varanasi & Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Vizag.
- Madat Trust partially funds the economically challenged patients through various oncologist & onco-surgeons / hospitals who provide low cost packages for surgery, chemotherapy & radiation therapy. Financial assistance given at Cacher Cancer Hospital in Assam & Malabar Cancer Centre in Kerala & in Mumbai at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, HN Reliance Hospital, Reliance Hospital Navi Mumbai, Masina Hospital, Saboo Siddiqui Hospital, Ved Hospital, SRV Hospital, Ashirwad Hospital HCG group of Hospitals, Super Specialty Surgery Cancer, MOC Hospital, Oncura Hematology Centre etc.
Proportion of spend in 2021-22 | TMH & Affiliated Hospitals | Private Hospitals |
Surgery | 38% | 70% |
Chemotherapy | 18% | 6% |
Radiation therapy | 0 | 21% |
Investigations & supportive care | 44% | 3% |
Average spend per patient | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 27,000 |
Patient Assistance in TMH
- From March 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic, layout changes & lack of table space, all the helpdesks in general OPD area at TMH are non-operational.
- Post-operative counseling & physiotherapy sessions for breast OPD patients in TMH continue with a very positive feedback from the patients & caregivers in Tata Memorial Hospital Parel.
- Volunteers continue to counsel thoracic ward & palliative patients one on one
Hair & wig Donation
- Restarted accepting hair donation from January 2021.Hair donations received from individual donors, organizations, institutions & salons from all over the country & abroad. 10396 men, women & children have donated hair this year. Hair donations received from individual donors, institutions & parlours from all over the country & abroad
- Restarted couriering wigs to patients undergoing chemotherapy at Tata Hospital Mumbai and to online requests from all over India. 180 wigs were donated to women patients undergoing chemotherapy at Tata Hospital Mumbai. 174 wigs were couriered to women patients undergoing chemotherapy all over India.
Website www.copewithcancer.org – Nationwide information about the resources needed by cancer patients & information about the disease and its effects
- Every month, more than 15000 patients & caregivers accessed the website
- CWC website updated with more information
- Blogs, articles and information added periodically on the website.
Counseling – Online & Telephonic Counseling to Patients & Caregivers
- Cancer patients and caregivers accessed the website copewithcancer.org for E-counseling & connect with our counselors for tele-counseling for non-medical, psycho-social solutions to their problems.
- Our counselors provided free psycho-social tele counseling to breast, pediatric, gynec & thoracic ward patients of Tata Hospital Mumbai & Actrec Kharghar
2022
Financial Assistance to patients
- Financial assistance continues at TMH and Actrec in Mumbai & at TMH affiliated hospitals Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Varanasi & Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital Vizag.
- Madat Trust partially funds the economically challenged patients through various oncologist & onco-surgeons / hospitals who provide low cost packages for surgery, chemotherapy & radiation therapy. Financial assistance given at Cacher Cancer Hospital in Assam, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital Pune, Sane Guruji Rugnalaya Nashik & Malabar Cancer Centre in Kerala & in Mumbai at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, HN Reliance Hospital, Reliance Hospital Navi Mumbai, SRV Hospital, HCG group of Hospitals, Super Specialty Surgery Cancer, Oncura Hematology Centre etc.
Donation in 2022-23 | TMH & Affiliated Hospitals | Private Hospitals |
Total Amount Donated
Rs 354,56,870 |
₹ 151,96,000 | ₹ 202,60,870 |
Surgery | 33.8% | 59.9% |
Chemotherapy | 32.6% | 8.9% |
Radiation therapy | 0.1% | 26.4% |
Investigations & supportive care | 33.5% | 4.8% |
Average spend per patient | ₹ 12032 | ₹ 30652 |
From March 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic, layout changes & lack of table space, helpdesks in general OPD area at TMH are non-operational.
- Help Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai
- Psycho-social counseling to breast & thoracic ward patients at Tata Hospital Mumbai
- Post-operative physiotherapy & counseling sessions at Breast & Thoracic OPD at Tata Hospital & Actrec
- Songs & dance for patients, caregivers & healthcare workers in Tata Hospital & Actrec
- Bereavement support groups
Hair & wig Donation
- Hair donations received from individual donors, organizations, institutions & salons from all over the country & abroad. 10158 men, women & children have donated hair this year.
- 174 wigs were donated to patients undergoing chemotherapy at Tata Hospital Mumbai
- 177 wigs were couriered to women patients undergoing chemotherapy all over India.
Website www.copewithcancer.org – Nationwide information about the resources needed by cancer patients & information about the disease and its effects
- Every month, more than 15000 patients & caregivers accessed the website.
- CWC website updated with more information. Blogs, articles and information added periodically on the website.
Counseling – Online & Telephonic Counseling to Patients & Caregivers
- Cancer patients and caregivers accessed the website copewithcancer.org for E-counseling & connect with our counselors for tele-counseling for non-medical psycho-social solutions.
- Our counselors provided free psycho-social tele counseling to breast, pediatric, gynec & thoracic ward patients of Tata Hospital Mumbai & Actrec Kharghar.
Music Therapy for patients / caregivers / healthcare workers
- copewithcancer- Madat Trust arranged online monthly music programs with The Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA) for patients, caregivers, healthcare workers and doctors. SMA Nirvana’s Tune In Positivity program gives an opportunity to talented patients to join & get trained at SMA academy.
Audiometry test done for 98 TMH patients free of cost at Dr Narurkar’s ENT clinic
VISION
MISSION
Volunteer
Copewithcancer Volunteer's Team

Purvi Gilder
Volunteer
SHOBHNA IYER
COUNSELING COORDINATOR
Rushva Parihar
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Vandana Mahajan
VOLUNTEERAdvisory Board

Dr. Anil Bradoo
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Ajit Menon
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Anita Patel
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Sangeeta Pikale
Advisory Board Member
Ish Chowdhary
Advisory Board Member
Dipa Dwarkadas
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Vani Parmar
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Tapan Saikia
Advisory Board Member
Shyam Shankar
Advisory Board MemberPast Volunteers

Devendra Deval
PAST VOLUNTEER
Kamrul Khan
PAST VOLUNTEER
M R Balakrishnan
PAST VOLUNTEER
Late Mrs. Shanti Ganeshan
PAST VOLUNTEER
Shivraj Jain
Past Volunteer