Originally reported and written in February 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

Five-year-old kidney cancer survivor Rajib Malakar and his family came to Chennai for treatment back in 2022. From Dharmanagar, a small town in Tripura, Rajib’s father works in a private firm, while his mother is a homemaker. When they first came to Chennai for treatment, Rajib’s parents stayed in a hotel because they didn’t know anyone in the city. 

But the expenses were so high that they had no choice but to go back. A month or two later, however, they were referred to St. Jude India Childcare Centre, a non-profit organisation which offers cost-free and ‘holistic care’ for children undergoing cancer treatment. 

They’ve been staying at one of their centres in Chennai ever since. Rajib is undergoing treatment for kidney cancer at Sri Ramachandra Hospital, Chennai. 

“If we didn’t know about the child care centres run by St. Judes, it would have been so tough for us to continue our child’s treatment in Chennai. We are thankful to them for not only providing us with all these facilities but also giving our son a lifeline. In addition to all these nutritious meals, they’ve allowed us to take care of Rajib better,” says Sabika Malakar, his mother. 

Speaking to The Better India, Anil Nair, CEO of St. Jude India ChildCare Centres, says, “We provide a home away from home for children undergoing cancer treatment. We provide free, safe and hygienic accommodation, basic education, transport to and from the treatment centres, counselling and holistic nutrition to affected children travelling with their parents from rural/semi-urban areas to big cities to seek quality cancer treatment. With 39 centres across nine cities, we assist any child suffering from cancer irrespective of economic status.”

Cancer in children is curable if detected early and treated effectively. A yawning gap in cancer treatment has been because of the lack of care facilities available for children that are clean and hygienic. These basic requirements become critical and if not provided can be life-threatening. 

During this critical time, the parents or family of the cancer-stricken child require some support and guidance, whether it is financial concerns, treatment effects, or responsibilities. For low-income households, this support is particularly important given the high cost of treatment and recovery.

Founded by Nihal Kaviratne, a global business leader, and his wife Shyama in April 2006, the St. Jude India ChildCare Centres offers the kind of auxiliary care and support for children suffering from a wide variety of cancers and their families that they need. 

The first St. Jude India ChildCare Centre was founded in Mumbai in April 2006. Nihal Kaviratne and his wife Shyama had returned to India after the former retired from his stint at the multinational giant Unilever. It was during this time when Nihal discovered people crowding around pavements near the Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, Mumbai. 

Upon further investigation, he discovered that these people were cancer patients and their family members awaiting treatment at the........

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