Making ‘breast health’ a living room conversation for women across Chhattisgarh
Team News Riveting
Kanker, December 5
To promote awareness around breast health and emphasize the importance of early detection of breast cancer, SBI Life Insurance, under its initiative “Thanks-A-Dot”, organized an awareness session in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with Pradan NGO.
The initiative aims to educate women on simple self-breast examination techniques and help them identify early indicators that could lead to timely diagnosis.
As part of this behaviour-change effort, women were given the ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bag — a specially designed tool that helps them develop the habit of identifying unusual lumps through touch. These kits were distributed by Nilesh Kumar Mahadev Kshirsagar (IAS, District Collector, Kanker) and Ravindra Sharma (Chief – Brand, Corporate Communication & CSR, SBI Life Insurance).
They were joined by distinguished guests including Manoj Kumar (State Lead – Pradan), Haresh Mandavi (CEO – Zila Panchayat, Kanker), Dr R C Thakur (Chief Medical & Health Officer, Kanker), and Dr Bhawna Sirohi (Senior Medical Oncologist & Medical Director, Balco Medical Centre, Naya Raipur). Their participation reinforced the shared responsibility of supporting women’s health and ensuring access to early-detection tools at the community level.
This on-ground initiative in Kanker builds on SBI Life’s recent collaboration with the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, where players wore special pink Thanks-A-Dot jerseys during the India vs Australia ODI to draw national attention to the importance of self-breast exams and early detection. As part of this match-led activation, SBI Life pledged to distribute 200 ‘Hug of Life’ kits for every 50 dot balls bowled. With a total of 200 dot balls in the match, 800 kits are now being distributed to underserved women in Chhattisgarh through Pradan NGO.
Speaking about the initiative, Ravindra Sharma, Chief – Brand, Corporate Communication & CSR, SBI Life Insurance, said: “Women’s health and empowerment are foundational to the progress of a diverse nation like India. Yet, conversations around breast health are often limited — sometimes due to hesitation, sometimes due to lack of information. Through the Thanks-A-Dot initiative, our goal is to encourage open dialogue on breast health at home and inspire positive behavioural change. Our partnership with Pradan reflects our shared commitment to provide both awareness and confidence to women so they can take timely steps for their well-being. We hope this effort inspires communities across Chhattisgarh to adopt regular self-exams and better understand their importance.”
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Nilesh Kumar Mahadev Kshirsagar (IAS, District Collector, Kanker) said: “Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, and early detection continues to be the most effective way to save lives. SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative is a crucial step towards promoting preventive healthcare among women in our district. By delivering awareness directly to communities and providing practical tools and information, such programmes have the potential to significantly improve community health outcomes.”
Manoj Kumar, State Lead, Pradan NGO, added: “Our collaboration with SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative has enabled us to reach women who earlier had limited access to reliable information or opportunities for early screening. In many rural areas, access to trustworthy health information is minimal. Such programmes create a safe and supportive environment where women can learn, ask questions, and speak freely about their health without hesitation. These practical workshops not only impart essential knowledge but also help break social barriers, empowering women to take proactive steps for their well-being.”
Launched in 2019, SBI Life’s ‘Thanks-A-Dot’ initiative focuses on raising awareness and training women on self-breast examinations and early detection. The ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bag, equipped with 3D lumps, helps women practice self-exams in a tactile and practical way — reducing hesitation and boosting confidence.
As it marks its 25th year, SBI Life remains committed to strengthening this initiative through meaningful partnerships, community engagement, and continued awareness efforts aimed at empowering women across the country.
