CanKids… KidsCan
CanKids…KidsCan is a not for profit dedicated to Change for Childhood Cancer in India. It is the only organization in India that works on all aspects that will drive this change – from support services for families of children with cancer (age 0-21), to awareness, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, quality care, research and impact. CanKids’ vision is to enable global standards of survival, between 70-95%, for childhood cancer in India and to ensure that no child should suffer for want of cancer treatment due to lack of finance.
Set up in January 2004 in Delhi under the umbrella of Indian Cancer Society, Delhi Branch. In June 2012, it spun off and registered as an independent National Society. Today CanKids works in over 42 cancer centers in 17 cities and 13 States which treat more than 4,500 new cases of childhood cancer each year. This represents around 60% of the total new cases of childhood cancer that we estimate; even make it to a cancer center. In its 11 years, over 16,606 families have been registered under its YANA –You are Not Alone – signature program that aims to provide holistic support to the child with cancer and his family, from moment of detection, through diagnosis, treatment and after.
The Indo-American Cancer Association’s partnership with the CanKids Adopt-a-Child program creates opportunities for individuals to make donations which translate into aid for a child in need of cancer treatment. In 2015, IACA signed an MoU for $150,000 with CanKids.
Testimonials from children at CanKids:
Nitin Sharma – Age 10
Nitin was only two and a half years old when he was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma in 2007 at Kalawati Saran Hospital in New Delhi. He was successfully treated, but was re-lapsed in December of 2009. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Science and completed his treatment in 2012. With the help and support provided by Cankids he is now cancer free and enjoying life.
Piyush Kumar – age 10
Piyush was only 5 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in 2010 at Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH) of the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi. Both his mother and father were with Piyush through his cancer treatment, and while his father was not able to work at the same time, Cankids extended full help and support to his family. It provided the required medical and emotional support, and Piyush’s treatment was completed in December of 2013.
Divya Singh – Age 19
Divya Singh was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in August of 2014. He has received three chemotherapy treatments and underwent surgery in December of 2014. He is currently undergoing post surgical treatment, chemotherapy and physiotherapy. Cankids has provided him a living space at their daycare and transition home, and has covered half of the financial costs for the often expensive Orthopedic Implant required for Divya’ surgery.
Parishita – Age 11
Parishita was 8 years old when she visited a local doctor with fever in 2011. Subsequently, Parshita was referred to IRCH at AIIMS where she was diagnosed with ALL. Parishita’s maternal uncle was taking care of her and making sure she was undergoing the necessary treatments. Cankids has provided her medical support and has aided her family in receiving more financial aid through Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Her treatment was completed in December of 2013 and she is now on follow ups.
