Feed the fight at TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

In India, the post-COVID effects have set in. Our patient families are dealing with a twofold setback - of their children battling both cancer and the threat of COVID. Caregivers, most of them being daily wage earners, are living with multiple vulnerabilities. With little or no source of income owing to large-scale lockdowns in the past year, they are forced to choose between their child's treatment and the next meal for the family, a choice no parent should ever have to make.

Under these trying circumstances, we would like to reach out to you, our friends, to support our mission to give every child fighting cancer a chance at survival through food. A fighting chance, after all, starts with a full stomach. 

TATA Memorial Hospital (TMH) is the national comprehensive cancer centre for the prevention, treatment, education and research in Cancer. It is one of the leading cancer centres in this part of the world. We started our operations 9 yrs back at TMH and have been working closely with its paediatric oncology wing in treating patients here from all parts of the country.

Beating childhood cancer starts with eating well

In 2022-23, we'll be counseling and giving aid to approximately 15000 children (month on month) at TMH. The children will be a part of our FoodHeals® Program and supported with nutritional counseling and aid, such as:

• Nutritional Supplements like Threptin, Pediagold, Pentasure, Peptamen amongst others

• In-meals supplements like eggs, fruits, milkshakes, chikkis and peanuts 

• Ration Bundles: Each bundle includes cereals, pulses, millets, nuts, ghee, oil, spices, condiments and basic personal hygiene products. 

The monthly ration bundle is sufficient to feed a family of four.

*At 4,400 kcal/day the ration bundle fulfills 100% of the total calorie requirement for the child per day and contributes to the nutritional requirements of the family members too.

Source - https://www.nin.res.in/RDA_short_Report_2020.html - Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for a 5-year-old is 1360 Kcals (Pg12)

With the right nutrition and care, a child experiences:

• Reduced side-effects and treatment complications

• Fewer breaks or delays in treatment

• Improved chances for survival and positive treatment outcomes

• Better immunity against infection

• A feeling of being supported and cared for

Impact of the program on the nutritional status of children with cancer

• When part of the FoodHeals Program, 81% of patients increased their nutritional status or did not show a deterioration in nutritional status despite cancer therapy like chemotherapy or radiation*

• Patients are more likely to complete treatment, with 95% of new patients returning for a second visit or continuing treatment*

*as per annual impact report 21-22 of Cuddles Foundation