WHO WE ARE

Sashakt – The Ovarian Cancer Foundation is a non -profit organisation registered and licensed under section 8(1) of the companies Act, 2013, Government of India. Sashakt is a response to appalling lack of awareness and apparent dearth of organizations working for Ovarian Cancer awareness in India. We are a non-profit organization with a sole aim to make every woman in India sashakt ( empowered) with knowledge and support to diagnose and fight the battle of ovarian cancer. We are committed to saving lives and supporting women. We are a group of driven people on a mission to support those affected by ovarian cancer, give them a voice, provide them hope and raise awareness on a national scale.

WHY OVARIAN CANCER?

One in seventy-two women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed in later stages, when the prognosis is really poor. However, if diagnosed and treated early, when the cancer is confined to the ovary, the five-year survival rate is over 90 percent. That is why it is imperative that women, their families and the healthcare community recognize the early signs and symptoms of the disease. It is important that women listen to their bodies and watch for early symptoms. There is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer. The Pap test does not detect ovarian cancer. That's why generating the awareness about the subtle symptoms is of paramount importance.

WHAT WE DO

Workshops for urban and rural women to create awareness about the potential risk, possible prevention in case there is a family history and most importantly symptoms along with query handling.

Social Media Campaigns to generate awareness. Woman-to-Woman mentoring program Providing information and support to assist newly diagnosed patients and their caregivers.

Support Group Activities like Sashakt Hope Meet to provide hope to current patients and survivors

From The Founder's Desk

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." – Christopher Reeve.

To create an ovarian cancer revolution that empowers each and every woman in India with knowledge and support to diagnose and fight the battle of Ovarian Cancer is one such dream that gave birth to Sashakt-The Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Our mission is grand, but we will not allow it to dissuade us. 1 in 72 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in their lifetime and it's one of the most fatal women cancers. My mother is fighting the battle right now and while I was researching for her, I found out that while some awareness exists for breast and cervical cancer, the level of awareness about Ovarian Cancer is absolutely zero because of which it is diagnosed at stage 3 or 4 in 85% of cases when the prognosis is really poor.

The only way of early detection is the awareness about the symptoms that are really subtle. If I had known the symptoms 6 months back, my mom would have been much better today. Even though I can't change my reality, but if through Sashakt, I am able to save even a single life, all the effort would be worthwhile. At Sashakt, we aim to create awareness about the symptoms through workshops, social media campaigns and reaching out to the masses along with providing support to the patients and survivors to change the course of their lives and give them moments of grace that they otherwise would not have had. We will provide hope. We will provide dignity. We will change the face of ovarian cancer. We have summoned our will and it is inevitable.

-Mrs Megha Ahuja (Director, Vivekanand School and Founder, Sashakt)

Our Founder