Fighting adversity with grit – Eye cancer survivor scripts memorable corporate success story

From being a childhood cancer survivor to a corporate executive, Delhi-based Pankaj Yadav is a living example of overcoming adversity with hard work. He was four-and-a-half years old when he was diagnosed with eye cancer. He overcame cancer and went on to study in two prestigious institutes like IIT and IIM and is currently preparing for the UPSC exam. The 29-year-old cancer survivor narrated his inspiring story to D 4 Life Changed.

Born in a humble family in Haryana, Pankaj Yadav’s father was a constable in  paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force while his mother was a homemaker. Pankaj was four-and-a-half years old, he was diagnosed with eye cancer called Retinoblastoma. Luckily, the cancer was  detected at an early stage and Pankaj’s family was advised to go to Delhi for better treatment.

“My father was a constable earning about Rs 25,000 monthly. He had four family members to look after. It was absolutely not possible for him to manage my cancer treatment expenses,” said Pankaj, who was studying in class 2nd in a school in Haryana when he was diagnosed with cancer. 

His cancer treatment was almost one year long and was done at Delhi’s AIIMS hospital. Since his father could not afford the treatment expenses, he borrowed money from relatives and friends. “I was a child so I could not fathom the danger of cancer, but my parents suffered a lot psychologically and financially. It took some effort to repay the loans my father borrowed for my treatment,” said the cancer survivor who was forced to repeat Class 2 because of the prolonged treatment.

During the treatment, Pankaj’s parents also got in touch with a non-profit organization called Can Kids, Kids Can that  works for the betterment of children with cancer or those who survived it. Pankaj received financial help, especially for  his education.

After the treatment, Pankaj was enrolled in a better school in Delhi where his education expenses were taken care of by the non-profit. He had been receiving consistent financial support for his education from the non-profit until he completed his engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (BHU)-Varanasi.

“Because of the non-profit, I was enrolled in a good school which made my base strong. This is the reason I am where I am today. When I was diagnosed with cancer, everyone thought that I could not do anything in my life. Everyone thought  my life had been finished,” said Pakanj.

When he was a child, he could not understand what consequences cancer has brought to him. He dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. “However, as I grew up, I realised that I can’t become a fighter pilot because my one eyesight is affected due to the cancer. Then I promised to myself that I will get into IIT and become an engineer to earn good money,” shared Pankaj. He dreamt big neglecting the fact that he hails from a humble family and had a setback early in his studies. 

Pankaj studied hard and pursued B. Tech in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology from IIT Delhi. He then pursued MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. After completing MBA in 2020, Pankaj got an opportunity to work with a renowned company called PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a consultant. Now, he is promoted to senior consultant with a handsome package.

“Now, I am doing good in life as I am earning good money. We don’t have financial issues in my family at all,” told Pankaj.

During his school days, Pankaj dreamt of earning good money one day. With his hard work, grit and perseverance he achieved that dream. When his desire for money was satisfied, he began to dream of something which is beyond the materialistic pursuit.

“I want to get into the system (government) and do something that can have a huge impact on the lives of those who are underprivileged. For which I have a goal to clear the civil services exam and be a part of the system and have power and authority,”  said Pankaj. He cleared UPSC Prelims and appeared for mains exam twice but could not clear the exam. He is preparing for his next attempt optimistically. 

Pankaj is so hard working and dedicated that he is managing his UPSC preparation and his job simultaneously. He emphasised on his rigorous routine that helps him manage both his job and his UPSC preparation, and said that he studies for 2-3 hours before he starts his office work and 2-3 hours after his office work. He sleeps for just 4-5 hours a day. Pankaj learnt the habit of putting in long hours regularly from IIM Ahmedabad.

Despite the fact that he has faced a huge setback early in life, Pankaj is a very optimistic person. “You can’t change whatever happens to you, but how you tackle the situation is in your hand. I always look for a solution and work towards it. No point in cribbing about the bad things happening in life. Life is hard, it gets harder sometimes,” said the IIM-A alumni. 

1. Delhi based Pankaj Yadav was four and half years old when he was diagnosed with an eye cancer.
2. Pankaj Yadav’s father was a constable in  paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force while mother was a housewife.
3. His cancer treatment was almost one year long and was done in Delhi’s AIIMS hospital.
4. Pankaj received financial help, especially for  his education from Can Kids, Kids Can.
5. Pankaj completed his engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (BHU)-Varanasi.
6. Pankaj studied hard and pursued B.Tech in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology from IIT Delhi. 
7. He then pursued MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.
8. Pankaj now works in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a consultant earning lakhs. 
9. Pankaj is so hard working and dedicated that he is managing his UPSC preparation and his job simultaneously