St. Jude India Child Care Centres (or St. Judes India) is an NGO supporting childhood cancer patients by offering them a comforting place to stay during their cancer treatment. After a child’s cancer diagnosis, access to high-quality treatment, which is typically only available in larger cities and metros across India, becomes crucial. The treatment duration could last up to two years, during which the child may remain an outpatient or require brief hospital stays intermittently. St. Judes remains dedicated to offering the necessary care and support for the child during this period.
For underprivileged families who have travelled to big metros for treatment, clean and safe accommodation is unaffordable. Often, they have to live on the pavements next to the hospital where the child is being treated. The absence of a dedicated space to cook healthy meals and inadequate toilet and bathing facilities leads to unsanitary living conditions, leaving children who are already immune-compromised vulnerable to secondary infections. Families feel dejected and demoralised and often abandon treatment and return home, increasing the likelihood of their child succumbing to cancer.
What many don’t know is that childhood cancers are highly curable, provided that the treatment is supported by an infection-free, hygienic environment with proper nourishment.
St. Judes India provides dedicated spaces or family rooms for every family staying with us, which have bedding and storage spaces. There are shared kitchen areas, with each family having individual cooking stations with kitchen equipment and nutritious rations so that parents can cook meals according to their child’s preferences and nutritional requirements. In addition, there are common bathrooms with clean and hygienic toilets and bathing spaces, as well as areas to wash and dry their clothes.
We create a community for our families, who come from all over India, speak different languages, represent all communities, and share the common goal of getting their child treated for cancer.
A child’s cancer diagnosis brings with it both emotional challenges and financial strains. St. Judes India’s holistic model of care and support aims to address every need of the children and families that stay with us. The facilities we provide include:
St. Judes is committed to providing holistic care, emphasizing clean, sanitary physical surroundings. Professional housekeeping services maintain the highest standards of hygiene at all times, ensuring an infection-free environment for immuno-compromised children. This comprehensive approach supports the overall well-being and recovery of the children.
Many children who come to stay at St Judes are often malnourished when they arrive , and the rigour of the strenuous treatment can further impact their health. Proper nutrition is crucial in their fight against cancer. St. Judes offers shared kitchen facilities for our families, equipped with utensils and weekly supplemented rations, allowing parents to cook meals according to their child’s preferences and dietary needs.
Daily transport to and from the centres to the hospital is offered to all families. This minimizes the child’s chances of contracting secondary infections from public transportation. Additionally, it is convenient for parents who may be unfamiliar with navigating bigger metro cities, making it easier for them to attend daily outpatient departments (OPDs) and follow-up treatments.
Children and their families are provided with a comprehensive range of services to support their well-being during treatment. These include education, recreation, arts and crafts, drama, counselling, and skilling classes. These activities ensure that the children are in better physical, emotional, and mental health, enhancing their ability to undergo treatment effectively.
At all our centres, parents are encouraged to engage in various activities designed to help them stay engaged and occupied and and alleviate the stress of their child’s treatment. These include arts and crafts, gardening, and workshops on skills such as cooking and mobile repairing. Additionally, there are also programmes that focus on building literacy to help provide valuable skills.
These encompass a variety of creative and therapeutic healing techniques that include individual and group counselling sessions, awareness programs, and a range of activities designed to promote well-being. Indoor and outdoor activities such as yoga and music therapy are also offered, providing effective means to relieve stress and offer emotional support.
While the First Circle is relatively well represented, St. Judes India fills the gap by providing second and third circle care.
