Just pause for a moment and try to imagine leaving your home to battle one of the most dreadful diseases in a strange place, in the face of an unknown future. This may seem far-fetched, but it is a reality for the many afflicted with childhood cancer.

St. Jude India ChildCare Centres organises various activities to bring in a sense of belonging and support among childhood cancer patients and their families.

Around 10 million people die from cancer every year. Of which, half a million deaths happen due to delay in treatment and inaccessibility to the costly medical treatment.

In addition to the above, there are various factors impacting the survival of a child diagnosed with cancer. Most of the times when children get to a provincial hospital, getting access to even basic amenities becomes difficult due to the financial condition of the families. The lack of proper nutrition is another stark reality.

As a society, it falls on us to provide this underprivileged community with the basic aid they are looking for. 

The following are the best ways of donations in which we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients:

Cancer has badly affected the human beings especially the children but there are 5 ways to help the children suffering from cancer. 

India is home to approximately 20 percent of the global childhood cancer burden, with nearly 75,000 children getting affected by cancer every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Cancer affects mental health of human beings, but there is a way to keep our mental health stable.

Seeing the child suffering from cancer can be quite difficult for a mother, St. Judes counselors and staff encourages and motivates every patient and family.

In India, the number of cancer patients is rising at an alarming rate with childhood cancer contributing to the ever-increasing number. With the rising rate, the burden on the amenities and resources for treating cancer has also doubled. Children with pediatric cancer from the rural areas fail to get the necessary treatment and access to amenities due to the lack of hospitals and medical infrastructure in these areas. This, in turn, leads to the migration to metro cities for advanced treatment and amenities. However, these families find it difficult to cope with life  in these  cities because of their limited financial resources and absence of additional support.

Right from diagnosis to treatment, childhood cancer can be emotionally devastating to children as well as their families. The course of cancer treatment deeply impacts children despite the improved prognosis over the last few years. While studies show a significant increase in the survival rate of many forms of childhood cancers - from 10% to 90%, which has been possible because of the advances in medical research, however, this increased survival rate has brought to fore the long-term negative effects of cancer and its treatment such as chemotherapy that extends beyond physical problems like hair loss, pain and physical disability.

Cancer is a disease that requires comprehensive care. This level of care and precaution multiples when it is a child who is suffering from cancer. There are a number of precautions to be taken before, during, and after the treatment. It is known that a person suffering from cancer has a compromised immunity. The same holds true for children suffering from cancer. In such situations, living outdoors and using public transport attract a lot of infections.

Cancer is a chronic disease that is commonly believed to be preventable. As a matter-of-fact about 90–95% cancer cases have their roots in the environment and lifestyle. The lifestyle factors include cigarette smoking, diet (fried foods, red meat), alcohol, sun exposure, environmental pollutants, infections, stress, obesity, and physical inactivity.