The model has been successfully replicated over the past 11 years in 33 centres across five cities
St Jude India ChildCare Centres, a not-for-profit organisation, better known as a home away from home for paediatric cancer patients, announced their 10,000th admission. This marks a new milestone in their history of 11 years.
The St. Jude’s model provides care for families seeking life-saving cancer treatment for their children. These families usually face the problem of finding safe, secure and low-cost accommodation. As a result, the children, who are usually between six months and 15 years, succumb to infections. Alternatively, parents often abandon treatment. To help such families these centres provide cost-free support, including a positive environment to stay, transport facility to and fro hospitals, clean water, nutrition, educational and recreational activities as well as psycho-social aid. This model, that was designed for the first eight children at the centre, has been successfully replicated over the past 11 years in 33 centres in five cities with 414 family units.
Commenting on the new milestone, Usha Banerji, CEO, St Jude’s ChildCare Centres said, “The doors of St Jude’s India Childcare Centres, are always open to cancer-afflicted children and their parents, whether they are new admissions or ‘returnees’. We are confident that the 10000th admission will only prove to be a source of inspiration and hope for more families with children battling cancer.”
EH News Bureau