A growing U.S. cancer foundation is expanding its activities in Bangladesh by exporting its Princeton, New Jersey-based fundraising run to the nation's capital Dhaka, where it is attracting celebrity support and international participation as the country battles rising cancer rates.
Axiom REACH Foundation will hold the "7.5K to Fight Cancer" event on January 8, 2027, around Lake Hatirjheel (literally Elephant Lake), a picturesque urban waterfront in one of the world's most densely populated cities. More than 1,000 runners are expected to join the 7.5 km loop in an event that mirrors the foundation's "5K to Fight Cancer" in Princeton.
The foundation is aiming to reach 30 million people as part of its awareness campaign and double the funds it deploys in the country. The event is expected to attract virtual participation from more than 25 countries.
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Axiom REACH, an independent foundation supported by Axiom Health Strategies, a life-sciences think tank specializing in oncology and rare diseases, runs a number of cancer-related charitable activities in Bangladesh, including the Children's Cancer Fund and Project 1767, which aims to tackle breast cancer by offering free screenings.
Since 2023, when Axiom Reach expanded its activities to Bangladesh, the Children's Cancer Fund has supported 68 children undergoing cancer treatment, working with 10 hospitals across the country. Of those children, 21 are in remission.
"That's such an achievement in such a short period of time, so we are expanding the program," Mohammad Ehsan, chief of staff of Axiom Health Strategies and an executive director of the foundation, and himself Bangladeshi-born told Newsweek in an interview.
Research has shown an increase in cancer rates in Bangladesh with one paper published in July in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention predicting rates could double through 2050. Another study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer predicts global instances increase 67 percent to 34.4 million by 2050.
Numbers like that are causing alarm. The problem is especially acute in poorer countries where less developed detection and treatment results in higher mortality rates. Dilshad Nahar Kona, a celebrated Bangladeshi singer, has joined Axiom REACH to drive awareness and rally support behind the cause.
"These children deserve to play, dream, and grow, and it means so much to me to support that chance," Kona told Newsweek in emailed comments. "I’ll personally be at the event in Dhaka on January 8, and I encourage everyone to join me in showing these families they are not alone."
Giving Children Another Chance
As a vivid example of the program's success, Ehsan cites Sumaya Akter Sinthia, who benefited from Axiom's program when she was aged 14 and suffering from a cancerous growth on her neck. Now aged 17, she is in remission. She is back in school and makes jewelry which she sells online, as well as volunteering for Axiom to help other children suffering from cancer.
"I can think about my future again," Sinthia told Newsweek in written comments. "When I visit children in the hospital with the REACH team, I hope seeing me gives them courage. I want to offer them the same hope and kindness that helped me through my own journey."
Ehsan expects the run to raise more than $60,000, doubling last year's funding for Bangladesh and allowing the foundation to significantly increase its impact. In the coming years Ehsan wants to grow that number "exponentially".
REACH Foundation was founded in 2019 with its Cancer Patient Support program to provide financial assistance to cancer sufferers in New Jersey who were struggling financially.
The foundation also offers mobile breast cancer screening, support to Oncology students in underrepresented communities, and ad hoc charitable activities involving Axiom staff.
Ehsan is aiming to increase the foundation's total annual budget to around $300,000 next year and over $500,000 by 2030.
"Once you're involved, then you know the value of it because you see the impact," said Ehsan. "If I do this, this person survives, this little child has a normal life again."
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Mike Hirst.