APS Chawla

Visionary, Chair & Founder of Roko Cancer

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

2014
by Joss Bruce, Roko Cancer London

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Foreword
Since 2005, when the first of Roko Cancer's fully-equipped mobile breast cancer screening units was launched in India,
the charity's visionary chairman and founder APS Chawla has helped to save thousands of lives through his screening
programme in Punjab which has tested over 400,000 women and men. He is in the inspiration for the successful NRI
Programme which invites non-resident Indians to support the charity and he is the powerhouse behind a charity
which, in a powerful appraisal by the (then) Attorney General Dominic Grieve MP, was described as "punching above
its weight."

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

APS Chawla is seen here launching New Delhi's Le Flamingo Club for cancer survivors
set-up by Roko Cancer's Director Sudha Murgai (pictured, 2nd right)

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Roko Cancer's success story and the building of the MKC
Trust
Roko Cancer of the MKC Trust has become a byword for cancer compassion, care and hope. The charity is proof of
triumph over adversity as it was borne from the tragic death of a young mother - APS Chawla's first wife - who died in
1989 from breast cancer. Her symptoms, presented late, were too advanced to save her. Driven by grief and a pledge
that no other family would suffer in the same way, APS Chawla worked hard to build Roko Cancer. His passion and
conviction persuaded many to back him and although the road was long, the journey proved fruitful for in 2001, the
charity was formally launched in the House of Commons and then in 2005, APS Chawla watched proudly as the first
Roko Cancer Bus was presented to the Indian people as a symbol of hope.

Driven by hope
Since then, the Roko Cancer buses have become a familiar sight throughout Punjab. APS Chawla was determined that
the very poor, the elderly and the most vulnerable would benefit from Roko Cancer's mission. So the buses will travel
to the most remote villages in India's rural and semi-rural villages. And such is the sheer need that people will queue
from dawn once word gets around. Tough terrain includes Meghalaya, Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka,
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil
Nadu and other areas that mainstream medical institutions are unable to visit.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

This is just one of eight fully-equipped mobile cancer screening units offering
a warm, friendly, courteous service to many who have never even heard the word cancer

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Powered by success
The Cancer Camps are staffed by Roko Cancer's dedicated team based in Punjab who offer everything from screening
for breast, prostate, oral and cervical cancer to ECGs, diabetes testing, blood pressure monitoring, health advice and
doing away with stigmas. And all for free. Nobody pays a penny for the service and no-one is ever turned away. This
was one of the key aims of APS Chawla. The other was to do away with harmful "old tales" which continues to cause
so much anxiety and fear when discussing cancer.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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Reducing fear and replacing with hope
A Roko Cancer Camps report highlighted some of these myths - the following quotes are taken with permission but
anonymously from women who have been screened by the charity: Below are just some of the comments we've
heard concerning breast cancer when screening women in India:

“Not breastfeeding your baby causes breast cancer”

“Mammograms cause breast cancer”

“You would know if you’ve got breast cancer”

“Having children early protects you from breast cancer”

“Surgery can cause breast cancer”

“Breast cancer is caused by food poisoning or tobacco”

This is why one of the charity's central messages is "Please don't die from fear" and is the over-arching theme of a
Roko Cancer documentary "Remember Me" - of which Professor Juliette Patnick, NHS Cancer Screening's Director was
an advisor. The 15 minute film has been shown at award ceremonies, functions, support groups and work places, and
can be seen on YouTube along with several other of the charity's films.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

The Roko Cancer documentary is a visual and vivid reminder of why Roko Cancer exists
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Roko Cancer as a unifying factor
APS Chawla is not one to rest on his laurels and with a report in The Lancet warning that by 2020, breast cancer in
India is likely to become an epidemic, he knows there is so much more to be done. This is why he is instrumental in
working with corporations in India and the UK because as a former businessman, he knows that in helping to forge a
link between two nations who have much in common, there is a greater opportunity for organisations and their
employees to help spread the word on cancer awareness.

Sainsbury's Head Office in High Holborn was the venue for a 'Love Your Life' campaign

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Roko Cancer's aim is truly worldwide and, in reaching out to developing nations and the Commonwealth, is proving to
be a pioneer in providing a cancer awareness and detection programme. Organisations like Sainsbury's have joined
others including other groups as diverse as Rotarians, St Joseph's Hospice, the Indian Army, Breast Cancer Care and
the Young Men and Women's Christian Associations to support or endorse Roko Cancer.

In the UK, Roko Cancer is known for tirelessly encouraging people to seek early medical intervention. Awareness
drives and information sessions help drive home the message that the NHS - as wonderful as it is - can only do so
much. The UK team, based in London's Whitechapel, works with BME, migrant groups and older people; especially
those who are vulnerable or on a very low income to help remove the fear of examinations or hospitals.

The charity's work with National Cancer Screening Programme, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Public Health
England, Leicester FC and Breakthrough Breast Cancer have given the charity a voice which in turn is used to speak on
behalf of society's most vulnerable.

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Empowering women
The story of how APS Chawla lost his wife to breast cancer is one that reasonates especially with women and is used
to help inspire busy mums and home-makers to prioritise their health as well as that of their loved ones. Usually such
messages come from other women, but when a gentleman urges women to empower themselves by taking
ownership of their health, that message is reinforced.

APS Chawla is a keen champion of women's empowerment

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Here, APS Chawla promotes his lifesaving messages during an

awareness drive in Southall West London
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Warm support from royalty and VIPs
Impressed by APS Chawla's work and passion, supporters have ranged from HRH The Prince of Wales to Bollywood's
biggest names such as Aishwarya Rai. They in turn have d inspire donors from all walks of life to give to the charity.

APS Chawla discusses his work with Here with Bollywood superstar
HRH The Prince of Wales Aishwayra Rai who supports Roko Cancer

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Tony Blair's wife Cherie Booth QC APS Chawla is warmly greeted by Punjab, India's
is a champion of Roko Cancer Deputy Vice President

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 Other champions include:

Sir Tony Baldry MP is a friend and supporter of APS Chawla's work

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Lady Sandra Howard is a valued patron of Roko Cancer

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 Parliamentary support
The Attorney General Dominic Grieve MP
The Rt Hon Lord Sheikh and the Rt Hon Lord Singh
Lady Sandra Howard, Roko Cancer's Patron
Baroness Amos | Baroness Verma
Stephen Timms MP | The Business Secretary Vince Cable MP
The Rt Hon Lord Billimoria and the Rt Hon Lord Dholokia
Keith Vaz MP | Former Cabinet Member Geoff Hoon MP

Supporters also include big name corporates including Sun Oil Ltd, charities such as Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Fight
for Sight and Alzheimers UK as well as prominent advisors in the NHS such as Professor Juliette Patnick, the Director
of the NHS Cancer Screening Programme

Dominic Grieve MP with Baroness Verma during a House of Commons Supporters' Conference
organised by Roko Cancer as a thank you to friends and donors

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Lord and Lady Sheikh lead a guestlist of dignitaries Lord Bilimoria is another VIP supporter
during a Parliamentary function

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Always one step ahead
APS Chawla also 'walks the walk' and has inspired hundreds to take part in the Mumbai Marathon for Roko Cancer.
He's seen here leading the way with the charity's Ambassadors Kulwant Dhaliwal (left) and Gurpal Oppal (2nd right).

Surrounded by supporters, APS Chawla takes part in the 2014 Mumbai Marathon

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

This is what APS Chawla has to say about the positive fighting spirit of Roko Cancer

"In a short space of time, we have touched a figure of over 448,955 examinations, 63,934
mammograms and 2,896 positive cases which is nothing less than remarkable. It invokes a spirit
which has waged war against ignorance in order to support those most at risk from cancer.
Our challenge is to fight cancer with passion and professionalism in order to create lasting results so
that women and men can help themselves and their loved ones."

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The charity ensures supporters are kept up-to-speed - there is always
encouraging news thanks to the kindness and support of donors

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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Each quarter, Roko Cancer's India and UK teams highlight news and
progress of the charity's lifesaving work

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

And here are some of the groups who have made this work possible

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The newsletter also shows where the donations go and
is the charity's way of saying a heartfelt thank you

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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Awards and recognitions
Those who hear APS Chawla speak with conviction about his dedication cannot fail to be moved.
In 2014 the Lions Club of Coventry presented both him and Trustee Nikita Chawla (right) with a cheque for £2,500.

Mrs Rani Saund (centre) of the Lions Club of Coventry proudly presents APS Chawla with a supporters' cheque

And in 2013, Roko Cancer was named by Indialink as its Charity of the Decade (below)

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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APS Chawla also inspires men to fight breast cancer
Thanks to his drive and determination, APS Chawla is helping to remove the stigma from breast cancer. From a
disease which was never discussed, it is now an illness viewed with sympathy and understanding. Crucially, men have
come on board and are supporting their wives, daughters, mothers and aunts to get themselves checked out and to
know the warning signs.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

Men in India are now joining women on awareness walks thanks to the example shown by APS Chawla

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But there is still much to be done to combat cancer in the
developing world
In the UK, women and men have a greater awareness of cancer and its early warning signs. Of course, with over 200
different types of cancer, there is no one typical type of symptom but doctors are agreed that excessive tiredness,
unexplained weight loss, an unfamiliar lump or an unusual pain are all signs that something may be amiss.

And although there is anxiety among older people in BME communities where faith, culture and tradition are strongly
respected - generally, cancer is a topic that is known and discussed amongst the general population. In India however
that is not always the case. APS Chawla, in visits to the cancer detection camps, has seen for himself the sometimes
total lack of knowledge surrounding cancer. The following facts and figures on breast cancer and cancer in general
survival rates in India and the developing world make for sombre reading.

In 2012 scientific journal The Lancet reported a breast cancer epidemic by 2020 amongst India's young

The sub-continent, home to 17% of the world's population, has begun to experience higher rates of breast cancer

A decade ago, the age range of a typical diagnosis was between 45 – 55. It is now 35-45. Doctors believe this is due
to changes in lifestyle.

Dr K S Gopianath, Senior Consultant & Surgical Oncologist, told The Times of India that 'girls as young as 18 are
presenting with the disease.'

Seventy percent of those with cancer worldwide are in developing countries with a fifth in India.

A global study commissioned by GE Healthcare estimates that by 2030, incidence rates of new breast cancer cares in
India will increase from 115,000 to around 200,000 per year.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that low survival rates in less developed countries are due
to a trinity of a lack of early detection programmes, lack of adequate diagnosis and a lack of treatment facilities.

WHO estimates that approx 80,000 women in India will be affected by breast cancer each year.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (established by WHO) estimate that by 2015, around 2,500,000
new cases of breast cancer will occur.

The Indian Council of Medical Research states that ‘breast cancer has overtaken cervical cancer as the leading cause
of cancer-related deaths among Indian women’.

Dr Umberto Veronese, Scientific Director of the European Institute of Oncology in Italy believes that ‘breast cancer
will become an epidemic in India if the country does not put in place a vigorous mechanism for early detection and
awareness-building’.

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 Inspiring and protecting the next generation...
This is why APS Chawla is enthused for the younger generation to be as clued-up as possible on breast cancer. In New
Delhi and Punjab, Roko Cancer's teams visit schools and colleges to equip students - in a friendly, informal and open
manner - with the knowledge needed to protect or detect breast cancer. The interactive sessions (seen below) have
proved informative and popular.

Respecting and cherishing the older generation...

It's just as important for Roko Cancer to reach out to our older people and ensure mammographies and screenings
are attended. In the UK, Roko Cancer joined Public Health England's campaign to encourage women over 60 to attend
breast screenings as their belief was that, in being older and past childbearing age, breast cancer would no longer be
an issue for them - a line of thinking that was increasing the incidence rates of breast cancer in older women.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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 Roko Cancer in the digital world
Roko Cancer has a growing presence online. The charity's Twitter and Facebook pages are led by APS Chawla as
another means of reaching out especially, to the digital and younger generations.

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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The future
The hope for any cancer charity is that one day a cure will, as one Director General of Cancer Research UK put it,
happily "put him out of business". Until that day, the work of organisations like Roko Cancer will continue in being a
voice to support the most vulnerable in society.

APS Chawla, who is a media favourite, gave an interview at his Supporters Conference in 2014 to declare that
although much had been accomplished, it was just the tip of the iceberg...

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

APS Chawla discusses his on-going mission during a television interview at the House of Commons

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 To find out more about Roko Cancer
Visit www.rokocancer.org

View the charity's films and documentaries on YouTube.

Alternatively visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

If you'd like to make a donation, email Nikita at finadmin@rokocancer.org

And from everyone here at Roko Cancer

Thank you so much for your friendship and kind support!

Profile of APS Chawla, Chairman and founder of Roko Cancer

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