Our Approach
Our Approach
St. Jude India ChildCare Centres (St. Judes) is an NGO for childhood cancer patients that provides a ‘home away from home’ for children undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer-affected children accompanied by their parents migrate from rural and semi-urban areas to metropolitan cities due to the unavailability of cancer treatment in these regions.
Once a child is diagnosed with cancer, he/she needs high-quality cancer treatment that is only available in bigger cities and metros. While cancer treatment may last as long as two years, the child may be an outpatient all through this long stretch or may have brief periods where hospitalisation is required.
Clean and safe accommodation is unaffordable for these underprivileged families and they often end up living on the pavements/sidewalks next to the hospital where the child is being treated. The filth and squalor leaves the child vulnerable to secondary infections, there is an absence of dedicated space to cook healthy meals, and there are no toilet and bathing facilities, and even if there are, those lack basic sanitation and hygiene standards necessary for cancer patients, who have very low immunity. The experience leaves the families dejected and demoralised, often forcing them to abandon the treatment and return to their homes, increasing the likelihood of their child succumbing to cancer.
Childhood cancers are highly curable provided that the cancer treatment is supported by an infection-free, hygienic environment with proper nourishment.
St. Judes provides every family with dedicated spaces or family units, which come with a bed for the child to sleep on, and bedding for the parents to sleep alongside the child. The space also has a cupboard for storage. The place is furnished with shared kitchen facilities with kitchen tools and nutritious ration so that the parents can cook meals as per their child’s choice and preference. In addition, there are common bathrooms with clean and hygienic toilets and bathing spaces, as well as spaces to wash and dry their clothes.
Our ‘home away from home’ is a hygienic, protective, nurturing environment which gives the children the best chance of beating cancer. We create a community for our families, who come from all over India, speak different languages and represent all communities, but share the common goal of getting their child treated for cancer.
Currently operating in nine cities across India, we provide more than 500 families with a peaceful night’s sleep.
How We Do It
St. Jude views cancer care for children as three distinct areas.
The First Circle is high quality medical care provided by the treating hospital.
The Second Circle is the physical environment that a child undergoing treatment requires.
The Third Circle is the emotional support that the children and their families need.
While the First Circle is relatively well represented, St Jude provides Second and Third Circle care – areas where there is a large gap today.
St. Judes with its innovative model of holistic care acts as a bridge to fill the gap between what the hospital provides and what is actually needed by a child to beat cancer.
Why There Is A Need For St. Jude
How We Work
St. Jude views cancer care for children as three distinct areas or circles.
The First Circle is high quality medical care provided by the treating hospital.
The Second Circle is the physical environment that a child undergoing treatment requires.
The Third Circle is the emotional support that the children and their families need.
While the First Circle is relatively well represented, St Jude provides Second
and Third Circle care – areas where there is a large gap today.
