AN INTERVIEW OF YOUNG ACHIEVER VARSHINI VIJAY (THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF TEENS FOR CANCER PATIENTS)

The founder and the president of teens of cancer patients, she was inspired to set up the organisation after experiencing  first- hand the impact of a cancer diagnosis on her family.

What made you start Teens for Cancer Patients (TCP)?

Having a family member diagnosed with cancer was extremely painful for me to see. The impact on the whole family, the financial burden, the emotional trauma, and the big question, Will they survive after all of this?” all haunted me. Upon researching, I was shocked to find out that very few international cancer (non-government organisations) for teenagers existed. I realised this needed to be changed, and I saw myself as part of the solution to innovate. I created my non-profit venture to help the less privileged.

Tell us more about your campaign and fundraising by your organisation.

As many as 50% of people drop out of chemotherapy. TCP continuously strives to change this statistic. So far, we have circulated 10,000 sanitary napkins for cervical cancer awareness month. All funds raised proceed to oncologist Padma Shri Dr. Ravi Kannan, who has performed over 20,000 free surgeries. Our current awareness campaign Teens for Health’ educates low-income families on the impact of cancer and the importance of staying healthy through good habits such as practising mental wellness through exercise, proper sleep, tobacco avoidance, etc.

Tell us about the composition of TCP.

Launched in September 2021, TCP currently comprises over 500 volunteers across 12 countries, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, and 10 different chapters. Our team comprises a biological research team and content writer, and aspects such as fundraising, internships, social media, and more. During the initiation of TCP, within a day of launch, over 100 people joined us. And now, the TCP family has more than 500 volunteers dedicated to fostering change.

What draws you to technology?

I am currently pursuing technology and working on the intersection of cancer and tech-how can technology advance cancer treatment? How can Al, already existent in tools such as mammograms, be taken to the next level? I love coding because it allows me to turn my innovation into action. Aspects such as app development, website creation, design, and many more are the future.

Share with us a few of your initiatives and inventions.

I am a member of the QLS InvenTeam, which received a grant from MIT to create a device for communication for basketball athletes with hearing impairment. Apart from this, I am the president of the technology school club, and we are creating an app for cancer patients, alongside circulating smart devices for less privileged children.

Who inspires you to walk this path?

My grandmother, one of the kindest and strongest people I have ever met. She taught me what compassion, gratitude, and love look like. If I win any award, she’s the cheerleader and always tears up, telling me how proud she is. In those days, women didn’t have as many opportunities as youngsters have now. I’m grateful for the opportunities provided to me.

What are your future plans? What would you like to change in society?

I aspire to help the world take one step closer to equality. TCP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and orientation. All our events / opportunities are free and we always promote hard-working volunteers to officer positions. To put it simply, we don’t care where they come from, we care about their drive to be a changemaker. Such a mindset will create more entrepreneurs in the world with fewer problems. This equality helps me bring more and more future entrepreneurs from TCP.

Picture Credit : Google 

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