Kalpa Media House | Bangalore |
The bid to support the creation of the first world-class palliative care centre in Mangalore
Bengaluru: Haseena Themali, a 43-year-old runner and coach, has raised ₹5,01,001 as a first-time fundraiser ahead of the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) 2026, making a significant contribution towards strengthening palliative care services in Karnataka. Supported by 95 donors, her fundraising effort is dedicated to supporting free and compassionate end-of-life care for terminally ill cancer patients.
Haseena is running in support of Tapasya Foundation, which provides holistic palliative hospice care to cancer patients. The funds raised will contribute to the development of the organisation’s first world-class palliative care centre in Mangaluru, aimed at ensuring dignity, comfort, and emotional support for patients and their families during the most critical stages of care.
A seasoned runner and coach, Haseena is undertaking her first-ever fundraising journey through the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Her association with Tapasya Foundation is rooted in the organisation’s commitment to accessible and compassionate palliative care, particularly in regions where structured end-of-life care services remain limited.
Expressing her delight at taking up this unique challenge, Haseena said, “When the Tata Mumbai Marathon approached me to take on a fundraiser challenge, I initially thought it would be straightforward. I soon realised how difficult it is to reach out to people, convince them, and build trust. But it is not impossible. If the intent is genuine, anything is possible. My journey began with a desire to do something bigger and to use sport as a platform for purpose. I wanted to move beyond chasing distances or personal bests and think about how I could use my miles for something beyond myself. That is how I chose this journey for the cause and for the country. It has been a deeply humbling and enriching experience.”
For Haseena, participation in the Tata Mumbai Marathon goes beyond the physical challenge of race day. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of palliative care and to mobilise community support for initiatives that address an often-overlooked but essential aspect of healthcare. Through her fundraising effort, she hopes to encourage more individuals to support causes that ensure dignity and comfort for patients and their families during end-of-life care.
Haseena’s journey highlights a growing trend within India’s running community, where athletes and coaches are increasingly leveraging large-scale sporting platforms such as the Tata Mumbai Marathon to create meaningful social impact—transforming personal passion into tangible support for communities in need.
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