Goa Hospital's Cancer Care Brings Joy to Children on International Childhood Cancer Day
In a heartwarming event at Mobor, children battling cancer and their families came together for a day of celebration and support, marking International Childhood Cancer Day. Organized by the department of medical oncology at Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim, and the Human Touch Foundation, the gathering provided a much-needed respite from the grueling routines of treatment.
A Day of Relief and Connection
For many families, the day was a rare opportunity to share experiences and find solace in a shared struggle. Children enjoyed games, face painting, meals, and gifts like chocolate and drawing books, while parents got a breather from the constant care demands. One mother, Anita (name changed), expressed her excitement as her son Aakash was allowed pizza and noodles for the first time in two years, following his diagnosis of lymphatic system cancer in 2023.
"The commonest cancers found in children are blood cancers, followed by brain tumours and then other tumours of the bones, kidneys, etc," said Dr. Anupama Borkar, head of oncology at GMC. "It is fortunate that GMC makes the treatment, which is otherwise expensive, available free of cost. It is not just treatment; counselling is also provided to families to cope with the battle as well as to move on with life once the treatment is complete."
Personal Stories of Struggle and Hope
Anita's journey has been particularly challenging. In 2023, her husband suffered a partial paralysis from a brain stroke just as Aakash began experiencing unexplained itching. After nearly a year, Aakash's cancer was detected at stage three. Fortunately, GMC offered treatment locally, eliminating the need to travel to Mumbai. When his cancer relapsed in 2024, requiring a bone marrow transplant in Mumbai, Anita feared a long, lonely stay for post-surgery care.
"It is at this point that Dr. Anupama told me to return to Goa and that she would take care of Aakash's treatment. I cannot tell you the relief I felt. He is back to school now and free from all cancer cells as of Jan this year," Anita shared.
Comprehensive Care Beyond Treatment
Dr. Borkar emphasized that GMC's support extends beyond medical treatment. The hospital provides dieticians, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and ongoing consultations even after treatment ends. "We teach them about positive imagery, help with charting out the right diet, movements needed. We also offer them access to patient support groups, which helps them cope with the many highs and lows during the treatment like sudden shift to ICU or unexpected infections. It makes them feel they are not alone," she explained.
Peter Borges of the Human Touch Foundation highlighted the importance of community. "On International Childhood Cancer Day, we are reminded that while medical treatment fights the disease, it is compassion, community and collective care that sustain a child's spirit. Through this initiative, we wanted every child to feel seen, celebrated and never alone in their journey," he said, as children celebrated with nurses, therapists, and counsellors.
Other Families' Experiences
Other families echoed the sentiment of support. Rajaram, a daily wage worker, could not work for two years after his daughter Laxmi (name changed) was diagnosed with bone cancer. "We had not even heard of cancer, let alone bone cancer. The diagnosis took almost a year. But she was finally operated with donations and is resuming school now. We were shaken to hear about the diagnosis. It all feels like a bad dream now," said her mother Sunita.
Samarth (name changed), a 10-year-old from North Goa, first noticed a black patch on his body, which led to a diagnosis of blood cancer. "Dr. Anupama and her team have put us at as much ease as possible. Children tend to be noisy in the ward, but they have been incredibly patient with them," said his mother Shanta (name changed).
A Message of Hope and Support
Dr. Borkar offered a message of encouragement to parents: "I want to tell parents that if they receive a cancer diagnosis, there is a good chance of recovery. Don't lose hope. Treatment is available free of cost at GMC. We even provide logistics support like stay for the family during the treatment nearby if required. We are also planning to start an education tie-up for these children. We take care of nutrition and supplements too."
The event underscored the critical role of holistic care in childhood cancer treatment, combining medical expertise with emotional and social support to help families navigate their difficult journeys.
