Indian Cancer Society, Bangalore Chapter

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About / Emotional Support Volunteers

Emotional Support Services for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

What We Offer

A Safe, Supportive Space

Our volunteers are trained to practise:

  • Active Listening – Creating a non-judgmental space for patients and families to express fears, stress, and uncertainty.
  • Empathy and Validation – Acknowledging and honouring the emotions of those navigating cancer, so they feel truly heard and supported.

Types of Counselling Services

1. Individual Counselling

One-on-one sessions tailored to each patient’s emotional needs—addressing anxiety, grief, fear, anger, or loneliness during diagnosis and treatment.

2. Group Therapy

Facilitated by our Lead Volunteer, Alpa Dharamshi, group sessions create a shared space for patients, caregivers, and families to interact, share, and draw strength from one another. These sessions are currently conducted at select private hospitals.

Volunteers at Seva Samvaad 2025

3. Family Counselling

Supporting families in understanding the cancer journey and helping them build emotional resilience as they care for their loved ones.

4. Specialized Support in Palliative Care

Some of our volunteers are trained in offering End-of-Life emotional care, focusing on comfort, dignity, and emotional peace for patients with advanced or terminal cancer. We work closely with palliative care teams to support the emotional well-being of patients and their families during the most critical stages of the illness.

The Heart of Our Work: Our Volunteers

Our Emotional Counselling Volunteers are the backbone of this service. They are trained in core counselling and interpersonal skills, and many have lived experience with cancer either personally or as caregivers.

They bring with them:

  • Compassion – Genuinely caring for others
  • Active Listening – Engaging with empathy and without judgment
  • Effective Communication – Speaking clearly and sensitively
  • Cultural Sensitivity – Respecting diverse values and backgrounds
  • Healthy Boundaries – Ensuring professional support standards
  • Self-Care – Managing their own well-being to sustain this work
One of the hospitals where our volunteers provide counselling services

List of Volunteers providing Emotional Counselling

Alpa Dharamshi

Vybhavi shetty

Mala B.R.

Rekha Venod

Rai Sachindra Bahadur

Shobha Mohan

Madhuri Rao

Asha Rao

Priya Madholkar

Ayesha Solanki

Sindhu B.N.

Revathi

Chandrasekhar Boodanoor

Pretty Chawla

Anika Sethi

Chandralekha Hegde

Ankitha Dayanand

Cedric Morris

Kamala Srikrishna

Meera Naik

Shirley B. Mark

Chaithra B.S.

Ushakiran Majeshwar

Gayathri Ravishankar

Aruna Kaza

Shubhas Rao

Kavita Pradeep Jain

Rehana Parvin

Sirigowri Kuppalli

Usha Rani

How Patients & Families Benefit

The emotional support provided by ICS volunteers helps patients and caregivers:

  • Reduce psychological distress
  • Improve emotional well-being
  • Build stronger coping mechanisms
  • Regain a sense of control
  • Make more informed decisions about their care
  • Improve overall quality of life

 

Whether it’s sitting quietly beside a patient, holding space for tears, or helping someone voice fears they couldn’t share elsewhere—our volunteers bring hope, calm, and human connection to those in need.

Volunteers after an interaction with childhood cancer patients

Need Emotional Support?

If you or someone you know is undergoing cancer treatment and would benefit from emotional support, please get in touch with us. We are here to help with compassion and care.

Jannet Maria Jibu is an MSW graduate in Clinical and Community Practice from Christ University, Bangalore, with a background in Psychology from Delhi University.

Jannet interned at leading hospitals and NGOs, working across mental health, disability support, and women’s rights.

Her passion lies in community upliftment and inclusive care. Jannet brings empathy, initiative, and leadership to every project she takes up.

 

Dr. Pavithra is an Ayurveda physician holding a BAMS degree from Ramakrishna Ayurveda Medical College, Bangalore. She also has an additional certification, a PG Diploma in clinical research.

With a strong foundation in Ayurvedic medicine and clinical research, Dr. Pavithra brings a unique blend of traditional and evidence-based approaches to healthcare.

Dr. Pavithra specializes in providing adjuvant care, supportive, palliative, end-of-life care, and post-cancer survivorship, contributing to holistic cancer care through Ayurveda.

Dr. Pavan Kumar. H (BDS) graduated in 2024, worked as a consultant Dentist in Ballari, Karnataka, and worked as an Associate Dentist at Swaraj Dental Clinic in Bangalore. He is presently working as a project consultant for TCC at ICS Bangalore.

 

Dr. Pavan believes in working as a team to reach greater heights. He believes in the core values of positive attitude, optimism and self-respect. He is interested in reading digital medical journals and spending time by researching innovations in digital dentistry.

Dr. Swathi D Acharya, holds a BAMS degree and currently serves as Programme Coordinator at Indian Cancer Society, Bangalore.

With over 5 years of experience in the medical field, her career included roles such as Medical Officer at Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Bangalore, Duty Medical Officer at Pragathi Multi-speciality Hospital Mangalore and RBSK Medical Officer at NRHM Mangalore. Dr. Swathi enjoys drawing and reading books, which complement her passion for holistic well-being. 

I am a native of Kalaburagi, with an MSW completed in 2022 and an HRM in 2024. Post graduation, I gained valuable experience working with an NGO dedicated to orphan rehabilitation and have explored various other sectors. 

Driven by a passion for public service, I found the ideal platform at ICS, where I joined as a Medical Social Worker in May 2024 to contribute to public health. In my free time, I enjoy reading magazines, newspapers, and listening to music for relaxation.

Shrinidhi N. Naikal is an alumnus of Nutan Vidyalaya Commerce College, Kalaburagi. He has served as a Senior Coordinator in the magazine section of Ramoji Film City, and was the Regional Coordinator at Blue Star India Ltd., Hyderabad. Shrinidhi has volunteered at ICS from 2007 uptil June 2023. From June 2023, Shrinidhi has taken the role of the Regional Coordinator at ICS, Kalaburagi.

Dr. Ashwini from Kalaburgi graduated with a BAMS degree in 2023. She then interned at the HCG Cancer Hospital, Bangalore and gaining valuable experience in Radiation Oncology. She has participated in multiple medical camps with ICS with focus on community health and cancer awareness. Dr. Ashwini is a Project Coordinator at ICS, Kalaburagi since August 2024 and is committed to promote cancer prevention. Dr. Ashwini is a passionate singer and a state level Yoga player.

Dr. Guru Suhas. P has an undergraduate degree in Dental Sciences from Oxford College of Dental Sciences Bangalore and followed it up with a Masters in Public Health Dentistry from Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences. He then worked as faculty in Maruthi Dental College. He joined the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as a Project scientist for little over two years. He has now found his passion in Indian Cancer Society and wants to help spread awareness about cancer.