Our History

The Susen Daniel Memorial Cancer Relief Fund (widely now known as SDM) was founded when Susen Daniel died of cancer in 1985. Susen was a Registered Nurse who migrated from India to the United States with her husband and two small children. Despite the best possible medical care, she lived only nine months following her diagnosis. Her husband, Mathew Daniel, announced during her memorial service his decision to start a fund to provide financial help to poor cancer patients and their families in India. SDM was thus founded by him and a handful of members of the community. 

 

Since its inception, SDM has distributed over half a million dollars directly to patients and their families, and is proud to distribute over 90% of raised funds directly to patients.  SDM is led by a group of volunteers, specifically a 15 member board of directors who generously give their time, resources and expertise to SDM’s work.

 

SDM Cancer Relief Fund is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, based in Southern California. It is incorporated in the State of California as a tax exempt charitable corporation. The Fund is dedicated to helping poor cancer patients and their families in India by way of direct cash payments.