Enabling quality care for over 4000 children affected with cancer in rural India

Cancer care for children, especially in rural India, is riddled with myriad problems of high rate of incidence, late detection, issues of access and affordability. Factors such as stigma, ethical conduct of hospital staff and infrastructure for treatment makes seeking treatment an ordeal, resulting in high treatment refusal and abandonment rate leading to high rate of mortality among children. Our project aims to reduce treatment refusal and abandonment rate among pediatric oncology cases by improving awareness, overcome attitudinal barriers, facilitate access to services and supportive technology; strengthen existing systems, establish reinforcing factors, such as counselling and community mobilization.

We work towards reducing the treatment refusal rate by filling gaps in existing services. We support the families with counselling on infection control, assist with accommodation, food, transport and blood support for the children and their care taker, enable early intervention at the grass root level and community resource mobilization. We collaborate with local organisations, hospitals, encourage private and public partnerships, for our outreach and form volunteer support groups to build a database of blood donors and other need based donors. We strive to improve the quality of life of children affected with cancer and help increase survivorship.

• To contribute to reduced child mortality rate.

• 70% increased awareness at the rural level about the disease and care management.

• Early intervention.

• Improved treatment compliance rate among children who undergo treatment for cancer and reduction in treatment

refusal

• Improved access to financial tools for healthcare (Government & Private Sector)

• Reduction in stigma attached to disease to ensure a harmonious environment for children with cancer and to

promote early detection among those suspecting it.