THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD Areeba from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh used to suffer from intense pain in her leg. When it got worse, her family took her to AIIMS hospital in Delhi; she was diagnosed with bone cancer. Areeba’s treatment started immediately. She is one of the lucky ones, since many children with cancer in India do not even get diagnosed, let alone treated in time. Every year, an estimated 50,000 new cases of children with cancer emerge in the country.
Areeba’s treatment started, but her family could not find a place to stay in Delhi. That is when the family approached St. Jude’s Childcare Centre for help. The NGO not only provided shelter but also helped with counselling to keep up Areeba’s fight against cancer. The child cancer survivor grew in confidence at the centre. She is all grown up now and has completed a computer course and aspires to work in the field of technology someday.
Cancer in children is curable
Cancer can occur at any age and in any part of the body, and children are susceptible too. In a large country like India, child cancer cases are rare, and therefore difficult to detect. However, there are higher chances of survival if these cancers are diagnosed and treated early, like in Areeba’s case.
Common cancer treatments include surgery, stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. The paediatric oncology team diagnoses the specific cancer type and sets the protocol for effective treatment based on the stage of cancer. Access to effective diagnosis, treatment, essential medicines and supportive care is critical for cure and survival.
An estimated 70-90% of child cancer cases are completely curable. But only about 20,000 out of 50,000 patients in India have access to proper treatment because of a massive gaps in the healthcare system. With the right medical treatment, infection-free living conditions and proper nourishment, cancer among children can be cured.
But the lack of access to cancer care is a serious issue, especially for people living in smaller towns and villages, since nearly 95% of cancer care facilities are in urban areas in India.
Long road to treatment and care
In India, up to 40% of children with cancer are malnourished at diagnosis, which makes survival a challenge. Underprivileged families from rural India bring their children, who have been diagnosed with cancer, to large cities for treatment but these families can hardly bear the high cost of treatment or provide safe and hygienic accommodation for children undergoing cancer treatment. Often, they end up staying on the footpath or living in make-shift tents next to the hospital. Such experiences often force parents to abandon treatment and return to their villages, increasing the likelihood of the child succumbing to cancer.
Cancer support and care centres run by NGOs play a vital role in helping families get access to critical support. Through financial assistance, good nutrition and a hygienic, protective and nurturing environment, these centres give the children a good chance of fighting and surviving cancer.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and here we highlight the efforts of our NGO partners that provide care and support to children with cancer:
1. Cuddles Foundation
Cuddles Foundation is a one of a kind non-profit organisation that provides holistic nutrition to underprivileged children fighting cancer. Its FoodHeals Program provides proper nutrition customised to a child’s medical condition to complete their treatment successfully. Cuddles Foundation is based in Mumbai and provides trained nutritionists to government and charity cancer hospitals, shares food and supplements with patients and families, and supports caregivers with the knowledge to make the right food choices.
Cuddles Foundation is nourishing children in 30+ government and charity cancer hospitals across 20 cities and works with 250+ paediatric oncologists.bYou can help Cuddles Foundation reach more children affected by cancer and who need care by donating here.
2. St. Jude India Childcare Centres
The St. Jude India Childcare Centres was founded to ensure that every child with cancer has access to the best possible treatment available, and has a fighting chance at a healthy and happy life. Its mission is to provide a clean, safe and cost-free environment and holistic care to children affected by the illness as well as support their parents. A team of 140 staff members at St. Jude provides cost-free and holistic care to patients and their families during the child’s treatment.
In its 33 centres across India, St. Jude provides families in need with free housing, nutrition, free transportation to hospitals and counselling. It also offers art-based therapy, music therapy and yoga for patients, along with skills training for families. So far, the organization has worked with 11,180 children. You can help the initiatives of St. Jude India Childcare Centres by donating here.
3. CanKids KidsCan
CanKids KidsCan works across the spectrum of childhood cancer care through their signature programme YANA – You are Not Alone. The NGO provides holistic support to children with cancer and the families. The support starts from detection, through diagnosis, treatment and thereafter to improve the chances of survival. Their efforts are directed at enabling a child’s right to health and improving the quality of life during cancer treatment and afterwards. CanKids is on a mission to secure the right to health, education, childhood, pain-free and palliative care and the right for children with cancer to be heard.
CanKids works in partnership with 113 cancer centres in 62 cities and 27 states in India. They also run 10 Home Away From Homes (HAH), 2 CanShala, and 1 – 20 bedded palliative care centres. You can help CanKids KidsCan reach more children through its programmes by donating here.
4. Cancer Patients Aid Association
This is a 50-year-old non-profit organisation that helps fight cancer through its distinctive philosophy of ‘Total Management of Cancer’. It works with the medical fraternity from raising awareness to early detection, support for treatment, counselling, rehabilitation, research studies and advocacy. The primary aim of CPAA is to provide adequately for cancer patients who do not have access or who cannot afford cancer treatment.
An expert in cancer management, CPAA now mentors other health care organisations across India, based on this holistic philosophy through its presence in Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. You can help CPAA by donating here.
5. Yuvraj Singh Foundation
This is a non-profit organisation established by former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who is a cancer survivor. The foundation works extensively in the healthcare sector with a focus on issues related to cancer. Its vision is to eradicate the stigma associated with cancer in India and change public perception so that cancer is seen as preventable and curable.
The organisation aims to be a leader in cancer awareness, prevention and control in India. The foundation also helps with frequent screenings and early detection of cancer and provides support to cancer patients and their families. You can support this initiative by donating here.
This blog was updated in December 2023.
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Samar is a Marcoms specialist and freelance writer. She has a master’s in marketing and creativity from ESCP Business School. She is an avid traveller and likes to write about technology, travel, wildlife and sustainability.
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