Foundation launches India's first open-access cancer genome database with INR 56 crore investment.
07 Nov 2025 | 1261 Views | By Shruti Shiraguppi
Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited, announced progress in its cancer care initiative on National Cancer Awareness Day, reporting 1,104 cancer tissue sample collections and over 11,000 screenings since the program's launch in September 2025. The foundation has committed INR 56 crore toward ...
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Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the CSR arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited, announced progress in its cancer care initiative on National Cancer Awareness Day, reporting 1,104 cancer tissue sample collections and over 11,000 screenings since the program's launch in September 2025. The foundation has committed INR 56 crore toward the initiative, including a dedicated INR 3 crore Cancer Care Fund.
National Cancer Awareness Day, observed annually on November 7, was established in 2014 by then Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan to promote cancer prevention and early detection. The date marks the birth anniversary of Marie Curie, whose research on radioactivity laid the foundation for modern cancer treatment.
The Hyundai Hope for Cancer initiative was launched in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in September 2025. At its center is the Hyundai Centre for Cancer Genomics at IIT Madras, which houses India's first community-based Cancer Tissue Biobank and the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA), the nation's first open-access cancer genome database.
"Hyundai Hope for Cancer reflects our firm belief that technology, compassion and collaboration can drive transformative change in cancer care," said Puneet Anand, AVP and Vertical Head - Corporate Affairs, Corporate Communication and Social, HMIL. "On National Cancer Awareness Day, we reinforce our efforts towards building a future where every citizen has access to timely, personalized and dignified cancer care. With a commitment of INR 56 Crore, including a dedicated INR 3 Crore Cancer Care Fund, HMIF is working towards building equitable access to early detection, research, treatment and community outreach - efforts that have already touched over 11,000 lives so far."
Since September 2025, the initiative has conducted 109 cancer awareness and screening camps across Tamil Nadu, reaching 11,095 individuals. The screenings covered oral, cervical, colon, breast and prostate cancers. Of those screened, 448 individuals tested positive and were referred to government hospitals for advanced care.
The Cancer Tissue Biobank has collected 1,104 cancer tissue samples and completed whole genome sequencing for 528 paediatric leukaemia cases. The ongoing genomic analysis aims to identify India-specific biomarker gene panels for early diagnosis and disease tracking.
The initiative also includes an HPV vaccination drive, with 525 girls vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus in collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare and Cancer Research and Relief Trust across Ariyalur, Virudhunagar, and Salem districts in Tamil Nadu.
Cancer cases in India are estimated to increase by 12.8% in 2025 compared to 2020, according to the National Cancer Registry Programme. In 2024, India recorded an estimated 1,496,972 cancer cases, up from 1,461,427 in 2022. India ranked highest in the number of estimated breast cancer deaths globally, with 98,337 deaths in 2022.
National Cancer Awareness Day has been observed since 2014 to create public awareness about early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Two-thirds of cancer cases in India are diagnosed at an advanced stage, reducing patients' chances of survival.
The foundation plans to provide free cancer treatment for underprivileged children in partnership with healthcare institutions across the country. A technician training program will upskill over 100 lab professionals in genomic sequencing and molecular oncology by FY 2026.
One fully equipped Cancer Screening Vehicle has reached 17 districts in Tamil Nadu, with expansion to Maharashtra and Haryana planned for FY 2026. Over the next four years, a total of 225 cancer awareness and screening camps will be conducted across the three states, targeting 1.27 lakh individuals and vaccinating 5,000 girls against HPV.
HMIF reached over 2 million people through social initiatives in 2024, implementing programs across 26 states and 1,250 villages in India, with a total investment of INR 400 crore since 2020. The foundation's healthcare initiatives include the Sparsh Sanjeevani program, which operates 52 Telemedicine Centres and 10 Mobile Medical Units across India, reaching over 1.5 million people in remote areas.
In September 2025, HMIF announced CSR initiatives worth INR 56 crore in Maharashtra, which includes the cancer care program among other healthcare, education and environmental sustainability projects.