Recently, KTG had the opportunity to meet with the inspiring Dr. Neelima Thakur, Head Medical Project & Support Services Program at CanKids KidsCan, who is bringing her rich background in Anthropology with more than 18 years of experience in the development sector,with area of expertise is overall operation and developmental research, advocacy, training, and capacity building. She has done her doctorate in Mother and Child Health Care. She has led and supervised several multi-stakeholder qualitative and quantitative research projects on health, nutrition, maternal & child Health, Sexual and reproductive child health, Infant and young child feeding, education, and livelihood funded by national and international agencies/ donors for implementing policy and programs in our country. Presently working for children with cancer in CanKids KidsCan.
Cankids Kidscan- The National Society For Change For Childhood Cancer in India! ( www.cankidsindia.org) We are the only NGO that works across the entire spectrum of Childhood Cancer Care in the country. CanKids was founded as part of the greater Indian Cancer Society of Delhi in 2004 by Poonam Bagai, a cancer patient herself. In 2012, CanKids branched off to become an Independent National Society. Ms Poonam Bagai, is Founder Chairman CanKids KidsCan.
Through our signature program YANA – You Are Not Alone – we hold the hands of the child with cancer and family. Cankids is proud and grateful to partner with hospitals, (141 CHSUs Cankids Hospital Support Unit), medical professionals and national & international associations, state governments through its 22 Change for Childhood Cancer projects including 8 MOUs, Individual Donors, CSR partners, Grant makers and Foundations, as well as Crowd funding to enable access and best standards of treatment, care and support across 58 cities and 22 states of India.
We provide holistic support such as medical support, nutrition, hygiene, blood and treatment support, holistic accommodation and transport, emotional and psychological support, education and reintegration and livelihood, palliative care, survivorship, and patient participation and advocacy.
Subhita – India’s First Pediatric Palliative Care Center, India’s first pediatric day care center, Subhita is a 24-hour, 10-bedded, one-stop multidisciplinary IPD and OPD service which provide the palliative care support right from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and after. PPCP was opened in June 2012.
CanKids is committed to Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Access2Care thereby driving better Survival rates and improved outcomes for children with cancer and families. Suddridh project aims to strengthen pediatric oncology services at a treating center by increasing access to quality and standard treatment and ensuring the minimal requirements for delivery of optimal care with the help of pediatric oncology experts/ advisors and or higher treating centers. Dr Thakur is in-charge of Project Suddridh – Health System Strengthening and Access2Care. Under Suddridh we have One Cancer At a Time (OCAAT) project, Disease specific childhood cancer project. Under OCAT (One Cancer at a Time) project we have special focus on RB along with ALL, Burkit’s Lymphoma, LGG, Wilm’s tumor, HL, APML & BSTS.
Cankids has created “The Fight RB India National Interest Group ” on August 30th 2014 to make an impact on Retinoblastoma and its outcomes in India It is a collaboration between individuals and institutions (RB Centers across the country, specialists in the field of ophthalmology/ocular oncology, pediatric oncology, pathology and radiology, RB survivors and parents, CanKids and other NGOs, the Government, as well as Civil Society) – who have joined together to fight against RB in young children – to Save Life, Save Eye, and Save Vision.
Through CanKids KidsCan, Dr. Thakur collaborates closely with pediatric oncologists and other healthcare professionals to ensure that children receive the best possible care. Her responsibilities extend to advocacy and communication with government bodies, NGOs, and medical teams, advocating for improved access to quality cancer care across India and monitoring and evaluation of medical projects.
Megan Webber and Helene Dameris were impressed with CanKids KidsCan and their work focused on educating parents, schools, and children on issues relating to Pediatric Cancer awareness and advocacy. As a comprehensive resource for families in India, it is hoped that KTG can be additive to their efforts and continue to highlight the impact they are having and the great work they are doing in India.
