Inspired by Her Mum, Woman Counsels Over 11,000 Cancer Patients & Caregivers

Alpa Dharamshi, a dedicated counsellor, has spent nearly two decades providing emotional support to over 11,000 cancer patients and their caregivers. Inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer, Alpa empowers individuals with strength, hope, and resilience during their challenging journeys.

Alpa’s mother, Meenakshi Narendra Lodaya, was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and given just two weeks to live. Defying expectations, Meenakshi survived a decade, showing remarkable mental fortitude. “My mother was a warrior,” Alpa recalls. “She proved that cancer is a ‘game of the mind’ by staying confident and refusing to let it define her.”

Meenakshi not only fought her battle but also supported fellow patients during her treatment, becoming a source of strength for many. Inspired by her mother’s resilience, Alpa made it her life’s mission to counsel cancer patients and their families, offering her services free of charge.

With expertise in palliative care, bereavement, grief counselling, and geriatric mental health, Alpa leads the emotional support team at the Indian Cancer Society in Bengaluru. She also collaborates with organisations like Karunashraya, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), and several NGOs, offering home-based palliative care and counselling. Alpa's private practice, Pehechaan — A Mission to Help Identify Yourself, further extends her outreach.

Alpa’s work goes beyond counselling. Fluent in seven languages, including sign language, she ensures her sessions are accessible to diverse patients. Her unique approach — treating patients as people, not as their illness — has made her a pillar of support for countless families. Alpa believes in encouraging patients to focus on their individuality and not let their diagnosis define them.

She also works with caregivers, addressing their mental health challenges, which often include emotional and financial strain. “Caregivers need as much support as patients,” Alpa says.

Her dedication has inspired others to pursue counselling. Rashmi Shah, now a PhD holder and a practising counsellor, shares, “Alpa ma’am’s work inspired me to volunteer at ICS. Her passion for counselling and her ability to handle distress is truly commendable.”

Despite the emotional toll, Alpa remains committed to her work, describing it as her way of honouring her mother’s memory. “I couldn’t be my mother’s primary caregiver, but through my mission, I am giving back to her in spirit,” she says.

Alpa’s story is a testament to how resilience, empathy, and determination can transform personal loss into a legacy of hope for others.