WORLD Cancer Day shines the light on the importance of learning about this disease which affects millions of people worldwide. World Cancer Day focuses on raising awareness on the disease and how it affects people, informing people about early-detection and screening methods, working together to prevent cancer and ease the suffering of those battling the disease.
In research conducted in 2022, it was estimated that one in 9 people are likely to develop cancer in his or her lifetime. With the prevalence of cases increasing but regular screenings for cancer detection still not widely practiced, India has a long way to go in cancer prevention and treatment. While people with cancer grapple with fighting the disease, their families also support them from the sidelines providing physical and emotional support. But this support is especially heartbreaking for families when the person affected with cancer is a child.
For those without access to information, treatment or additional support, the role of NGOs across India cannot be understated. These NGOs provide much-needed care in the areas of nutrition, treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, finances, accommodation and other areas of care that would otherwise be unavailable to underprivileged children and adults with cancer.
This World Cancer Day, lend your support to these 5 NGOs helping people in their battle against cancer:
Cuddles Foundation
Childhood cancer is mostly curable but extra care and attention is required to ensure that children receive the physical and emotional support they need. Cuddles Foundation is a Mumbai-based NGO that was founded in 2013 and focuses on nutrition as a key factor in helping children fight cancer better. Cuddles Foundation has an initiative called the FoodHeals program which gives children with cancer access to professional clinical pediatric nutritionists, expert dieticians, nutritional supplements, fresh and nutritional meals, monthly ration baskets and the support of caregivers. This support is extended to the child and his or her family and ensures that children with cancer are properly nourished so they are better enabled to fight cancer. To support Cuddles Foundation, you can donate here.
CanKids KidsCan
For children who are battling cancer, multifaceted care is essential, especially in the advanced stages. CanKids KidsCan is a New Delhi-based NGO that provides all-round care to children and their families who are battling cancer as well as child cancer survivors. Founded in 2005, the NGO runs a program called You Are Not Alone which provides hospital support (detection, diagnosis and treatment services both inpatient and outpatient), affordable accommodation for the children and their families, daycare facilities and palliative care services for children who are in the end-stages of their fight against cancer. Alongside providing direct care, the NGO also operates two schools attached to the hospitals to ensure that the children continue learning. To support CanKids KidsCan, you can donate here.
Nargis Dutt Foundation
In addition to the physical aspect of fighting cancer, an additional burden is the financial cost of hospital treatments, specifically chemotherapy. Founded in honor of Nargis Dutt who lost her battle to cancer, this Mumbai-based NGO offers low-income families financial support for their chemotherapy treatments. This assistance eases the worry and burden that families have when caring for loved ones battling cancer. For the past 40 years, Nargis Dutt Foundation has financially assisted thousands of cancer patients and eased the suffering of families and continued providing financial assistance until the patient is cancer-free. The NGO covers the cost of treatments and surgeries as well as the food and accommodation of family members supporting their loved ones. To support Nargis Dutt Foundation, you can donate here.
Grace Cancer Foundation
Raising awareness about cancer is a crucial aspect of supporting cancer patients and eradicating the disease. Founded in 2013 in Telangana, Grace Cancer Foundation focuses on spreading awareness about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer with the aim of reducing cancer cases in the country. The NGO reaches out to underprivileged families that cannot afford cancer treatment and gives them financial assistance, counsels patients and families, and conducts awareness programs to provide information about how to detect cancer and prevent its occurrence. Grace Cancer Foundation holds awareness and screening camps and promotes research in Oncology and Allied Sciences to give the general public more information about the prevention, detection, treatment and epidemiology of cancer. To support Grace Cancer Foundation, you can donate here.
Shradha Cancer Care Trust
For those battling cancer, the dreaded but sometimes unavoidable reality is that a patient will eventually succumb to the disease. In these unfortunate circumstances, Shradha Cancer Care Trust is an NGO that runs a hospice at the foothills of the Himalayas for terminally-ill abandoned elderly cancer patients to care for them in their last days. The NGO offers medical, social, emotional and spiritual support to its patients who have incurable cancer and are in their end-stages. It also supports the family members of patients with emotional and financial assistance. Founded in 2005, Shradha Cancer Care Trust has provided free high-quality palliative care to alleviate their physical and psychological discomfort through their Ganga Prem Hospice located in Rishikesh. To support Shradha Cancer Care Trust, you can donate here.
This World Cancer Day, let’s join hands in learning more about the disease and supporting NGOs that care for families across India that are suffering due to cancer. Explore these 5 NGOs on Give.do and make a charitable contribution to save a life.
📷: Cuddles Foundation
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
