To overcome the challenges of Childhood Cancer in a vast country like India with scarce resources, CanKids uses the principle of YANA (You Are Not Alone) to drive Access To Care Models. The two building blocks of YANA are:
Cankids Hospital Support Units (CHSU's): Enabling the best treatment, care and support to children with cancer & their families who reach a treating cancer center
Change For Childhood Cancer State Projects (CCC Projects): Ensuring children and families are guided to treating centers and are detected, diagnosed and commence treatment at the earliest… and receive shared care In addition, we also run: six Home Away From Homes - a low cost model where the children with cancer and their families can stay while they are undergoing treatment; a one of its kind Special School for Children with Cancer in Mumbai, “Canshala” – in partnership with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and Subitha the only 10 bedded Pediatric Palliative Care Center in Delhi.
CanKids Hospital Support Units (CHSU's)
CanKids's YANA approach involves forming strategic partnerships with hospitals in India treating children with cancer. Through the partnership, Cankids provides a Support Unit (CHSU) covering 10 Program Areas & 25 Core services in that hospital. Each CHSU has a CanKids Social Support Team which is a cadre of trained people for pediatric oncology support services including social workers cum data managers, dietitians, teachers, psychologists, volunteers, patient navigators and care coordinators - parents and survivors. The team composition is customised as per the needs of the center & we also provide dedicated doctors, nurses and research Coordinators as required.
Change For Childhood Cancer State Projects (CCC Projects)
CanKids CCC Projects aim to partner with State Governments and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that children with cancer are detected and diagnosed at the earliest, appropriately referred to the right cancer centers and managed through shared care models of treatment, care and support.
We currently operate CCC Projects in the states of Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, West Bengal, North Eastern states & Tamil Nadu. We have signed MOUs with the governments of Punjab & Maharashtra.
Canshala - A School For Children With Cancer
CanKids Canshala, the first of its kind in India, is based on a 'school in the hospital' concept, and was started in November 2012, serving children with cancer coming to Tata Memorial Hospital, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and other Cancer Centers in Mumbai. Canshala is a Public Private Partnership between CanKids & he Municipal Corporation Of Mumbai.
This exciting adaptation of the ‘School in the Hospital’ concept, combines the school service in a cancer hospital and local schooling adapted to the child’s cancer treatment.
Our first CanShala is an integral part of the Jagannath Bhatankar Municipal School Parel, Mumbai. It is housed in four rooms – which include two class rooms, one health and therapy room, and one Principal’s/staff room and Computer Center (and CanKids’ Regional office), and shares the playground, auditorium and other facilities of the school
The child attends the school when able. Learning is appropriate to health and attendance is not compulsory
Base line testing & educational and social evaluation is done & An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed.
CanKids has also begun a school bus service to pick up children from various hospitals/dharamshalas and bring them to school and later drop them back
An outcomes based curriculum is in place, with children placed in Class 1 to 7, with all the younger children in one classroom and older children in another
A regular timetable is followed from 10.30am to 2.30pm with prayer, breakfast, lunch, health and hygiene checkup, two learning sessions and one activity session We have also opened a new CanShala at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for children.
Home Away From Home
A bridge between Hospital and Home, Cankids Home Away From Home ( HAH) is designed to be a low cost model with minimum investment and running and maintenance costs. It integrates the issue and challenges of accommodation into treatment, care and support systems at adjoining cancer centers. It involves parent and community participation, empowering the parent support group to set up, manage and run the home and provide them with employment opportunities.
Families are provided with a kitchen kit, a room kit, and a school kit for the children. The Parent Support Group sets a low daily rate for the families to pay, and a Waiver mechanism exists for families unable to pay. They are encouraged to prepare home-cooked meals for their children, but there are also celebration meals. Rations are provided raised through local donations. There are school activities in the HAH and multi-functional areas for entertainment, parent forums, celebrations and therapeutic activities.
Cankids currently operates 7 HAH Units across India. More details about our Home Away From Homes are available here
Subhita - Our Pediatric Palliative Care Center
Our Pediatric Palliative Care Center (PPCC) Subhita is a Holistic Model to provide comprehensive Palliative and Supportive Care for Children with Cancer. Opened on June 2012 with the distinction of being India's first pediatric day care center, Subhita is a 24 hour, 10 bedded, a one-stop Multidisciplinary IPD and OPD service which provide the palliative care support right from the moment of diagnosis through the treatment and thereafter:
When the child is in pain and the diagnosis or treatment is yet to start.
When symptoms are uncontrolled, fatigue, breathlessness, difficulty in swallowing, ulcer, loss of appetite, depression and grief.
Psychological counseling for the child and the family at all stages of the cancer journey.
When the treating Doctor has said that there is no further treatment- at this stage full palliative care services for the child and the family.
We also support the child to return home when there is no further cure however our center is fully equipped to provide care for the child even in their last moments.
Located in Gautam Nagar, New Delhi, Subhita currently has
Two floors with ten cubicles
Inpatient care, outpatient care ,day care and an emergency bed
Palliative medical support facilities
Pain management and symptom relief
Physiotherapy clinic
Recreation & complementary therapy room,
Psychological Counseling
Learning Activity Clinic
Training Center
More details about Subhita including our admission policies and support offered can be found here