Copyright healthcareradius
In a pioneering initiative, SBI Life Insurance, an insurance company in India, has amplified the message to make breast health ‘a living room conversation in every household,’ on a global stage by setting a Guinness World Record. Using a record 1,191 ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bags to create the largest mosaic spelling out the message, i.e. “Take A Breast Self-Exam with Thanks-A-Dot,” the effort not only reinforces the importance of early detection and self-care but also sparks vital conversations about women’s health that need to be normalised in India. The record-setting formation was witnessed by notable attendees, including Amit Jhingran, MD & CEO, SBI Life Insurance, Mahima Chaudhry, Indian actress and breast cancer survivor, Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corp Comm & CSR, SBI Life, Swapnil Dangarikar, Official Adjudicator, Guinness World Record, along with other respected dignitaries. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Indian women, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 cancer cases. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 60 per cent of breast cancer cases in India are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited and survival rates plummet. However, up to 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are curable if detected early. Cultural hesitation, stigma, and prioritisation of family health over personal care often prevent women from addressing their own health. SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative, launched in 2019, aims to break these barriers by encouraging women to talk openly about breast health, making self-examination a regular and approachable part of daily life. In 2023, SBI Life introduced the ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bag, the world’s first bag with three-dimensional lumps, designed as a tactile learning aid to help women practise self-breast examination safely and confidently. The record-breaking mosaic brings together employees, partners, and volunteers, transforming an everyday object into a powerful symbol of awareness and empowerment. Reflecting on the initiative, Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corp. Comm. & CSR, SBI Life Insurance, said, “While women play a central role in nurturing families, prioritising their own health often takes a backseat. Through SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot, we are not just encouraging women to practice breast self-examination; we are creating a movement that turns a personal act of care into a shared conversation at home and across communities. This initiative reflects our belief that true well-being starts with taking care of oneself. We see self-care as part of a larger responsibility where caring for your loved ones begins with caring for yourself. Achieving the Guinness World Records is more than a milestone; it is an effort aimed at encouraging women to prioritise self-care and make breast self-examination a regular habit.” Mahima Chaudhry, Indian Actress and Breast Cancer Survivor, said, “Being associated with SBI Life’s Thanks A Dot feels close to my heart, as it champions the importance of early detection. Having battled breast cancer myself, I know how critical early detection is, and regular breast self-exams make all the difference. Since these conversations are still rare, the Guinness World Record by SBI Life’s ‘Thanks a Dot’ opens doors for those conversations, inspiring women to learn, act, and empower themselves. Also Read: Is India doing enough to detect breast cancer early? This initiative reinforces SBI Life’s philosophy – “Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye.” By combining innovation, empathy, and purpose, the company aims to make breast self-examination a habit, not a hesitation, encouraging women to prioritise their health alongside financial well-being.
