A U.S.-based cancer foundation, Axiom REACH, is set to expand its efforts in Bangladesh by introducing its fundraising event, originally held in Princeton, New Jersey, to Dhaka. This initiative is gaining attention from celebrities and attracting international involvement as Bangladesh faces rising cancer rates.
The foundation will host the “7.5K to Fight Cancer” on January 8, 2027. The event will take place around Lake Hatirjheel, a scenic area in one of the world’s most crowded cities. More than 1,000 participants are expected to run the 7.5 km course, a format similar to the “5K to Fight Cancer” in Princeton. Axiom REACH aims to reach 30 million people through its awareness campaign and plans to double its funding in the country. Participants from over 25 countries are expected to join virtually.
Axiom REACH, an independent organization backed by Axiom Health Strategies, specializes in oncology and rare diseases. It operates several charitable projects in Bangladesh, including the Children’s Cancer Fund and Project 1767, which offers free breast cancer screenings.
Since 2023, the foundation has supported 68 children receiving cancer treatment in partnership with 10 hospitals across Bangladesh. Of these children, 21 are in remission. Mohammad Ehsan, chief of staff at Axiom Health Strategies, expressed pride in the program’s swift achievements and announced plans for expansion.
Research highlights an increase in cancer rates within Bangladesh. A study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests these rates may double by 2050. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer forecasts a 67% rise in global cancer cases, reaching 34.4 million by 2050. Poorer countries face higher mortality rates due to underdeveloped detection and treatment systems.
Renowned Bangladeshi singer Dilshad Nahar Kona has joined Axiom REACH to promote awareness and support the cause. She encourages participation, emphasizing the importance of giving affected children hope for a future.
“These children deserve to play, dream, and grow, and it means so much to me to support that chance,” Kona stated.
A successful example of the foundation’s impact is Sumaya Akter Sinthia, who received support at age 14 for a cancerous neck growth. Now in remission at 17, she is back in school, crafts jewelry, and volunteers with Axiom to aid other children facing cancer.
“I can think about my future again,” Sinthia shared with Newsweek. “When I visit children in the hospital with the REACH team, I hope seeing me gives them courage.”
Ehsan predicts the event will raise over $60,000, doubling the previous year’s funds for Bangladesh and amplifying the foundation’s effect. Ehsan’s future goal is to expand the foundation’s annual budget to $300,000, hoping to surpass $500,000 by 2030.
The REACH Foundation, established in 2019, initially aimed to aid financially struggling cancer patients in New Jersey. It provides mobile breast cancer screenings, support for oncology students in underserved communities, and various charitable activities involving Axiom staff.
Ehsan underscores the importance of involvement: “Once you’re involved, then you know the value of it because you see the impact.”