Viji Venkatesh received the Leadership in Patient Advocacy & Access to Cancer Care Award at the 7th Cancer Summit & Awards 2026 held in Delhi on 3rd February 2026, the eve of World Cancer Day.

For decades of advancing access, dignity, and support across cancer journeys through sustained advocacy and community mobilisation.

“I’m more than honoured to receive this recognition from the IHW Council for my work in cancer advocacy and patient care which has primarily been with The Max Foundation and Friends of Max. On behalf of each one of us and many hundreds of patient leaders who inspire us I accept the award with great joy. My grateful thanks to my co-Trustee at Friends of Max, Anil Nagpal for collecting the award on my behalf at the Cancer Summit in Delhi on the eve of World Cancer Day,” says Viji.

Present on the dias with Anil ji were Ashwini Kumar Choubey, former Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Kamal Narayan Omer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Health & Wellbeing (IHW) Council and Sujaya Krishnan, Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.