St. Jude India ChildCare Centres (St. Judes), a non-profit organisation was founded in 2006 with a central mission to provide holistic care to Children affected by Cancer. A ‘home away from home’, the NGO provides safe, secure and free-of-cost accommodation, transport facilities to and from the treating hospital, counseling services, and access to comprehensive nutrition for children and their families. Many of these are from underprivileged families who come from rural or semi-urban areas to big cities in search of the best cancer treatment. St. Judes is committed to extending its support to any child facing cancer, regardless of their economic status.
For over a decade and a half, they have continued to build deep and meaningful relationships with their partner hospitals, relying on their expertise to help them fulfill their promise that until ‘cancer doesn’t stop, neither will we’. The organisation’s holistic model of care focuses on bridging the gap between what the hospitals provide and what a child needs to recoup, recover, and overcome cancer.
In addition, the organisation has gone the extra mile by establishing ‘St. Judes for Life’ (in memory of Mrs. Rani Vicaji), aimed at providing lifelong support to cancer survivors – referred to as Judians. The initiative aligns with their motto, “Once a St. Judes child, always a St. Judes child,” and their mission to ensure that timely and appropriate assistance is offered to Judians to complete their education, maintain good health, and lead successful lives.
Notably, in November 2021, St. Judes partnered with Star Health Insurance and introduced a groundbreaking initiative, offering comprehensive accident and health coverage to Judians. This pioneering effort works towards greater inclusivity of healthcare support for children affected by cancer.
St. Judes currently operates in 42 centres across 11 cities in India, extending their supportive services to more than 524 families.
They have recently expanded their reach by inaugurating their 42nd Centre in Mira Road, Mumbai, designed to provide holistic care and accommodation at no cost to 8 children and their families undergoing bone marrow transplant procedures at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s CTC, PHO & BMT Center.
