Help children from poor families survive cancer. Donate now

While the pandemic rages across India, other more serious and long lasting illnesses have been deprived of attention. Cancer, particularly childhood cancer, is one of them - the average survival rate of which is 80% and rising. But, sadly, not in India.

Here, due to a number of factors such as late detection, steep costs of treatment and the scarcity of cancer centres, especially in rural areas, four out of five children don’t make it beyond five years of diagnosis. This is one of the heartbreaking statistics that the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) is trying to turn around.

Cancer survivor is a star

Sahara Shah was three years old when CPAA came into her life to help her mother manage the treatment of her newly diagnosed blood cancer and make sure the young girl received the full care required for her cure. Now Sahara is 20 and a budding Bollywood actress, having recently shared the screen with the late Sushant Singh Rajput in Dil Bechara.

She is also a proud cancer survivor and feels with support other children can recover too and realise their dreams. She says: “Cancer may be a scary word, but with the right people to support you, you can find the courage and determination to face it. If I can do it, so can the many children being supported by CPAA today.”

Support young patients at risk

CPAA is a 51-year-old non-profit organization that addresses cancer as a health problem through its distinctive philosophy of ‘Total Management of Cancer’. Their task has been made even more difficult with the arrival of COVID-19 as patients, especially children below the age of 18 who are living with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and/ or radical radiotherapy have depleted immune systems and are at greater risk of being infected with coronavirus.

Help CPAA offer the best-possible medical assistance to these young cancer patients. A month’s treatment costs ₹5,000 per patient,  providing immediate medical assistance, radio and chemotherapies and life saving drugs.

As Sahara says: “Cancer is merciless and can devastate families. I have been through the pain and I don't want anyone else to experience those struggles. Come forward and contribute to this fundraiser. Each donation can make a difference to these vulnerable lives.”

About Cancer Patients Aid Association

Founded in 1969, Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) works side-by-side with the medical fraternity, focusing on activities encompassing Awareness, Early Detection, Support for treatment, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, Research Studies and Advocacy. The primary concern of CPAA is to meet the needs of poor cancer patients who do not have access nor can afford cancer treatment. CPAA reaches out to patients from all walks of life in every possible way. With five decades of experience in cancer management, CPAA now mentors other health care organisations across India, based on this holistic philosophy and has offices in Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. 

Note: The target of this fundraiser includes the children's treatment charges along with the setup, administrative and promotional costs of making this fundraiser successful.