Malabar Cancer Care Society : Genesis

A Humble Beginning

In 1989, Malabar Cancer Care Society was founded by Sri D. Krishnanadha Pai at a time when cancer was shrouded in fear and considered a virtual death sentence, even by the medical community. With over four decades of selfless, relentless, and voluntary service, Mr. Pai has been a pioneer in cancer care. His journey began in 1986, when he organized a seminar on cancer under the banner of JAYCEES, in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum, supported by, its Director, Padmasree Dr. M. Krishnan Nair, a renowned oncologist and visionary of comprehensive cancer care.

The seminar enlightened Mr. Pai about the importance of early detection in cancer treatment, and Dr. Krishnan Nair was impressed by his enthusiasm and keen interest in social causes. Dr.Krishnan Nair assured Mr. Pai of all support from RCC in the fight against cancer he proposed.

What acted as a trigger for his anticancer initiatives was a tragic incident in 1989 at Chavassery, where Mr Pai was working as a Manager. A young man of the locality committed suicide when diagnosed with stage one cancer of tongue which was eminently curable even in those days. Sparked by this incident Mr. Pai founded the Organisation under the banner of ‘Cancer Eradication Programme Committee. Later evolved into the Malabar Cancer Care Society (MCCS), when its base was shifted to Kannur in 1993, with a noble cause of giving support, awareness and help in moments of life threatening and life changing ailments such as cancer by empowering community.

The initial activity planned by MCCS was a comprehensive awareness, screening, and detection camp in Chavassery village, organized in collaboration with Dr. Nair and Prof. Dr. Babu Mathew of RCC. The idea for a comprehensive cancer control programme suggested by RCC was meticulously planned and implemented in 1989-90 as conceived by Pai and his voluntary team.It turned out to be resounding success. In 1991, the abstract presented on the program received recognition and praise at the Kerala State Science Congress. The program’s success also led to recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO), which praised the Kerala model as a cost-effective and successful intervention for developing countries for cancer control.

RCC heavily depended on Mr. Pai for organizing Chavassery model camps across Kerala and good number of programmes successfully undertaken with the support of Mr.Pai. He was invited to attend intensive training programs and WHO workshops from 1990-1996. Mr. Pai acquired knowledge, skills, and experience to further the fight against cancer under Dr. Nair’s guidance and support.

From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Pai worked tirelessly as a one-man army, utilizing his personal resources. In 1993, MCCS expanded its reach with the involvement of doctors and eminent persons from Kannur, and its headquarters was shifted to Kannur. The corpus fund was mobilized from among the members.

A significant milestone was achieved in 1994 with the historic CANFAIR ALL INDIA EXHIBITION, held for 65 days, which netted a sum of Rs 10 lakhs in addition to the cancer awareness generation among 10 lakhs rural population. Late Rev Mother Teresa launched the Kannur District Comprehensive Cancer Control Programme (KDCCP) of MCCS in Kannur in the year 1994.

In 1995, a full-fledged Early Cancer Detection Centre was established in Kannur, marking the beginning of various innovative cancer care initiatives under Mr. Pai’s leadership and Dr. Nair’s guidance. MCCS has empowered communities and enhanced lives through its unparalleled initiatives in comprehensive cancer care. Through various innovative cancer care interventions from grass root awareness leading to survivors rehabilitation to ensure quality life and enhanced longevity, reaching out to 13.9 million people over 36 years providing relief and solace to hundreds of poor and downtrodden village populations as envisaged by Mother Teresa in her prayer during the launch of MCCS’s Kannur District CCCP in 1994.