Looking at a little one dancing around at the hospital won’t make you think of him as being struck with a terminal disease. The reason behind the smiles and uplifted spirits of these brave hearts, despite their heart-wrenching reality of being afflicted with a life-threatening illness, are some organisations who work towards brightening up their day-to-day lives. If a child has limited time to live, these NGOs in India make sure those weeks, months and years are his happiest!
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation of India is a non-profit organisation which works tirelessly to grant the wishes of a child, between 3 and 18, who suffers from a life-threatening disease. They fulfil a child's long-cherished dream, be it toys or meeting a celebrity they adore, wanting to visit a place, or just wanting to be someone. Make-A-Wish’s magic wand fulfils all such wishes of a terminally ill child, making her/his life, however short it may be, joyful. They say that children live longer when their wish is fulfilled. The act gives them hope and strength and the organisation strives to arouse these spirits.
Happy Feet Home
Happy Feet Home is the first hospice for children in India, a place which sprinkles happiness in the lives of kids with terminal illnesses. As per the International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care, over 400,000 children in India need palliative care. Started by Abhishek Tatiya and Mansi Shah, Happy Feet Home makes the bitter reality of approaching death a tad less sad and scary for these children. They come and play with other kids, enjoy activities that keep them occupied, participate in therapy and counselling sessions that help them cope with their maladies, all for free!
Can Kids India
Can Kids India is a Delhi-based foundation that provides medical assistance to children affected with cancer, also reaching out to them and their families with psychological and emotional support. Their objective is to help little ones and their families cope with the turmoil of treatment. They also conduct activities to help kids learn through their treatment phase, whilst also instilling a sense of positivity and an undying urge to emerge stronger than before.
Iksha Foundation
Iksha Foundation is a Bangalore-based foundation supporting children with eye cancer or Retinoblastoma. It works towards creating awareness, helping early diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatment and resources, such that a child does not lose his vision and is given a new lease of life.