Bangalore. November 26, 2025. CanKids…KidsCan, India’s leading national NGO for childhood cancer, announces PHOSSCON 2025, a landmark two-day national conference dedicated to uniting Cure and Care to transform childhood cancer outcomes in India. To be held on 27–28 November 2025 in Udupi, Karnataka, the conference will convene 128 participants, including pediatric oncologists, nurses, psychosocial support teams, national and global NGOs, caregivers, researchers, CSR leaders, and senior CanKids representatives. The event will be graced by the Founder & Chairperson of CanKids, herself a childhood cancer survivor, symbolising hope and resilience for thousands of families across India. PHOSSCON 2025 aligns with India’s commitment to the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC), reinforcing a national and global movement to improve survival rates and reduce inequalities in access to treatment.
A NATIONAL COLLABORATIVE MOVEMENT — NOT A CANKIDS SHOWCASE
PHOSSCON is a neutral, national platform — a coming together of India and the world’s key stakeholders in childhood cancer. Over two days, delegates will participate in interactive workshops, expert panels, knowledge exchanges, and survivor-led sessions that emphasise coordinated, compassionate, and equitable care for every child battling cancer. It is a shared space for conversation, co-creation, and collective action where: Clinicians & medical teams, Nurses & psychosocial care professionals, NGOs & civil society organisations, Survivors & parents, Donors, CSR leaders & philanthropists, Researchers & policymakers …all unite under a single mission:
“Bringing People Together to Defeat Childhood Cancer — Uniting Cure and Care.”
What PHOSSCON 2025 Aims to Achieve
This year’s theme — “Integrating Cure and Care” — underscores the essential need to blend medical treatment with holistic, family-centred care. The conference will present and discuss:
- Emerging advancements in pediatric oncology
- Best practices in supportive and psychosocial care
- Patient navigation and family support systems
- Survivorship, long-term follow-up, and quality of life
- Strengthening the national ecosystem through partnership and shared learning
Poonam Bagai Founder Chairperson, CanKids stated: “PHOSSCON is where science, compassion, and community meet. When clinicians, caregivers, NGOs, survivors, and supporters come together, we build a stronger pathway for every child who deserves not just a cure—but complete care. Together, we can turn every child’s courage into a victory.”
Chief Guest & Conference Leaders present:
- Dr Avinash Shetty – Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal / Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, KMC Manipal
- Dr Shripad Banavali – Chairperson, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Chapter (IAP) (PHO IAP) / Additional Professor & Consultant Medical Oncologist, Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma/Retinoblastoma section, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
- Dr Manas Kalra – Honorary Secretary, Pediatric Hematology Oncology Chapter (PHO IAP) / Senior Consultant, Dept. of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology & BMT, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
- Dr Vasudeva Bhat K – Organising Chairperson, PHOCON 2025 / Professor (Dept. of Paediatric Hematology & Oncology) & Head, Division of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal / Deputy Coordinator, Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre.
- Dr Archana M. V. – Organising Secretary, PHOCON 2025 / Assistant/Associate Professor of Paediatric Hematology & Oncology, KMC Manipal.
- Dr Raj Warrier – Former Vice-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) / Section Head, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, formerly at Ochsner Children’s Hospital, Louisiana.
- Dr Abhishek Chaturvedi – Chief Coordinator, Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), MAHE / Programme Coordinator NSS-MAHE cell.
- Dr Cherian Varghese – Head / Professor & Director, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) / Former Coordinator (NCD & Determinants) & Acting Director, Healthier Populations & NCDs, World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Office.
CK (CanKids) Leaders
- Poonam Bagai – Founder Chairperson, CanKids KidsCan / Cancer survivor & patient-advocate / Vice-Chair, Pallium India.
- Dr Pooja Sharma – Chairperson, PACER (Patient Advocates for Clinical Research Education) / Founder-CEO, APAR Health Services / Research Advisor, Indian Pediatric Hematology Oncology Group (INPHOG).
- Dr Haresh Gupta – Chief Medical Program Officer, CanKids KidsCan / Head – Medical Division & Pediatric Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) at CanKids.
