Support Harm Reduction Advocate Battling Stage 4 Cancer

Kavita is a friend, mother, community member, and badass harm reduction worker in recovery. She has dedicated so much of her life to collective care and tirelessly advocates for the rights of drug users, prisoners, women, and families - some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

In November 2024, Kavita was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has been on a leave from work since last November. This campaign is to help Kavita and her family with medical costs, travel, and daily living needs during her hospital stay. Our hope is that these funds will alleviate financial stress on Kavita and her family during this time, so she can focus on her health and recovery. Kavita has remained strong in her faith and her community, and we’re asking for her community to reciprocate the love and care she has shared with all of us.

Over the years, Kavita has worn many hats in the harm reduction sector. She first started on PASAN’s outreach team. She then moved to providing crisis support services and shelter for women and children fleeing violence. From there, she took over and expanded the harm reduction program at PASAN, offering direct services to ex-prisoners and people who use drugs. She’s networked across the city and country to better support diverse communities and partnered agencies in harm reduction services and overdose response and prevention. Her ability to connect organizations to unite on a shared concern is unparalleled. On countless occasions, Kavita has drawn from her own lived experiences to better inform existing harm reduction programs to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Kavita’s knowledge and skills have been instrumental for advocacy initiatives and research for effective decriminalization models across the city of Toronto.

For anyone who has met Kavita, her passionate spirit lights up a room – whether it be in the office, on the street during outreach, in her church community, or belting out a karaoke number, her laughter and warmth will make anyone feel welcomed. Kavita has given so much love and care to her community and we’re asking now for us, as a community, to support her.

Much love and prayers for Kavita and you all <3