CanKids KidsCan

CanKids KidsCan is India's largest non-governmental organisation dedicated to childhood cancer. Founded in 2004 by Poonam Bagai, a colon cancer survivor, and spun off from the Indian Cancer Society, Delhi Branch, in June 2012 as an independent National Society registered under the Indian Societies Act 1957, it works across the entire spectrum of cancer care. Its stated objective is that no child in India should die of cancer because of a lack of access to treatment, care or support. The organisation reports having supported more than 1.6 lakh (160,000) children.

Its signature programme, YANA (You Are Not Alone), provides holistic support to children with cancer and their families in partnership with 141 hospitals across 60 cities and 22 states; the organisation partners with more than 148 hospitals in total. Other programmes include Home Away from Homes, which provides accommodation for families during treatment; Canshala, an education support programme for children undergoing care; and Change For Childhood Cancer, through which CanKids acts as a knowledge and technical partner to state governments on large-scale projects, implemented in 16 states. It has memoranda of understanding with eight state governments.

The work spans pediatric oncology care, medical and diagnostic support, psychosocial care, nutrition and hygiene counselling, education support, patient transport and blood support, and healthcare capacity building. The operating model is patient- and family-centred and explicitly collaborative, built on partnerships with hospitals, state governments and knowledge or technical bodies.