In a groundbreaking effort, SBI Life Insurance, a leading insurance provider in India, has elevated the conversation around breast health to a global level by setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. The company used a total of 1,191 ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bags to create the largest mosaic displaying the message “Take A Breast Self-Exam with Thanks-A-Dot.” This initiative not only emphasizes the significance of early detection and self-care but also aims to foster crucial discussions about women’s health that need to be normalized in India.
The record-setting event was attended by prominent figures, including Amit Jhingran, MD & CEO of SBI Life Insurance; Mahima Chaudhry, actress and breast cancer survivor; Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corp Comm & CSR at SBI Life; and Swapnil Dangarikar, Official Adjudicator for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, among other esteemed guests. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in India, representing nearly 25% of all cancer cases. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) states that over 60% of breast cancer cases are identified at advanced stages, when treatment options become more limited and survival rates decrease. However, if detected early, up to 90% of breast cancer cases can be treated successfully.
Cultural barriers, stigma, and the tendency to prioritize family health over personal well-being often hinder women from addressing their own health issues. Since its inception in 2019, SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot initiative has sought to dismantle these obstacles by motivating women to engage in open discussions about breast health and to incorporate self-examination into their daily routines. In 2023, SBI Life launched the ‘Hug of Life’ hot water bag, the world’s first bag featuring three-dimensional lumps, designed as a tactile tool to assist women in practicing self-breast examinations confidently and safely. The record-breaking mosaic united employees, partners, and volunteers, transforming a common object into a compelling symbol of awareness and empowerment. Ravindra Sharma, Chief of Brand, Corp. Comm.
& CSR at SBI Life Insurance, remarked, “While women are often central to family care, their own health frequently takes a backseat. Through SBI Life’s Thanks-A-Dot, we are not only motivating women to perform breast self-examinations but also fostering a movement that turns personal care into a shared conversation at home and in communities. This initiative embodies our belief that true well-being begins with self-care. We regard self-care as part of a broader obligation, where the act of caring for loved ones starts with caring for oneself.
Achieving the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title is not just a significant milestone; it aims to inspire women to prioritize their health and make breast self-examination a regular practice.” Mahima Chaudhry, the Indian actress and breast cancer survivor, shared, “Being part of SBI Life’s Thanks A Dot initiative resonates deeply with me, as it highlights the critical importance of early detection. Having faced breast cancer, I understand the difference that regular self-examinations can make. Since discussions around this topic are still uncommon, the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement by SBI Life’s ‘Thanks a Dot’ paves the way for these important conversations, motivating women to learn, take action, and empower themselves.
This initiative reinforces SBI Life’s philosophy – ‘Apne Liye, Apno Ke Liye.’ By merging innovation, empathy, and purpose, the company aspires to make breast self-examination a routine practice rather than a source of hesitation, encouraging women to prioritize their health alongside financial security.