In Bilimora, a Lions Club turned a cricket tournament into a lifeline for children with cancer
In a small dispensary in Bilimora, Gujarat, families from the tribal regions of Ahawa and Dang would arrive with their children and very little else — no clear diagnosis, no treatment plan, and almost no financial resources. Past President Meena Desai, who often spent time helping her husband PDG Vijay Desai at his clinic, watched these families navigate a system they barely understood.
Their stories stayed with her.
She brought what she had seen back to her club. Bilimora Yugma Lions Club, District 3232-F2, listened — and said yes.
Along with PDG Vijay Desai and fellow club members, she approached the Lions Surat Cancer Detection Centre and its Chairman Ashok Kanungo, who helped guide their first steps. The club began by supporting 35 children, covering treatment, follow-up care and many of the challenges that come with a child’s cancer diagnosis in a low-income family. The monthly commitment came to Rs.70,000 — an amount that required consistent and reliable support.
The club initially reached out to corporates and individual donors, but wanted a model that could sustain itself over time. That led to the launch of the Yugma Premier League (YPL), a cricket tournament inspired by the IPL format.
What began as a fundraiser soon became something larger. The tournament drew strong participation, with team owners contributing generously to the cause. Over time, it evolved into a genuine community event that brought together local businesses, supporters and citizens who believed in what the initiative stood for. In 2024, the club raised over Rs.10.32 lakhs. In 2025, that figure rose to Rs.16.80 lakhs.
YPL is not simply a sports event. Every match played, every team that takes the field, translates into treatment, care and support for children who need it most. It has also become one of the club’s most visible platforms — for awareness, donor engagement and showing the wider community what Lions do.
The work extends beyond fundraising. In December 2025, the club organised a cancer awareness relay, with Lions, volunteers and community leaders marching together through the city carrying banners and placards. Informative talks, survivor stories and educational material were distributed in schools and industrial areas across the district.
Understanding that early detection can save lives, the club also initiated a childhood cancer health screening drive across 48 government primary schools. Free health check-ups, blood testing and preliminary screening helped identify early symptoms before they became harder to treat. In a show of collective effort, all 10 Lions Clubs of Navsari district joined hands for the initiative.
An integral part of this effort is Past President Bharat Desai — a cancer survivor himself.
While the club currently supports 35 children, the goal is to expand support to 50 in the near future. What began with one person’s observation at a clinic has since grown into a network of support reaching children and families far beyond its walls. Along the way, donors such as Acey Engineering Private Limited, Hardik Nayak Investments, KOB Jai Dhimar from Melbourne, Australia, and Lion Kishor Soni have helped sustain the effort. “We are grateful to all who have stood with us consistently,” says Nidhi Desai, a dedicated member of the Bilimora Yugma Lions Club.