St. Jude India ChildCare Centres unveils Happy Healthy Meals – a recipe book, fostering culinary creativity and nourishing hope for childhood cancer patients

~From the Heart of St. Judes Parents’ Love to Strength in Every Bite ~

~ Not just happy but healthy meals, and that’s what matters ~

Mumbai, February 15th, 2024: St Jude India Childcare Centres, a non-profit organisation that offers hygienic accommodation and holistic care to children battling cancer and their parents, today announced the launch of Happy Healthy Meals – a collection of simple everyday recipes that will tickle taste buds and warm hearts. The nutritious recipes are lovingly curated by the dedicated parents of the young cancer warriors undergoing treatment.

The book is a tribute to the parents who tailor-make their child’s meals with healthy twists to ensure their child can enjoy their favourite meals during their intense treatment. These meals bring comfort, familiarity and love, giving the children some semblance of normality during challenging times. Apart from providing delicious recipes, this book represents the unwavering strength and creativity of parents caring for young cancer patients. Parents, driven by a shared desire to help others in similar situations, play an active role in enhancing their child’s well-being through healthy meal preparation, fostering a supportive community along the way.

“Nutritious food and a healthy diet plays a vital role in this battle. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary, and the children’s parents turn into culinary warriors. I had the privilege of presenting this special book, which is a compilation of many such recipes by the parents of St. Judes. Each recipe within this book is thoughtfully crafted to provide nourishment tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by young cancer patients. From comforting snacks to nutrient-packed curries and delectable desserts, every dish is a celebration of food and a testament to the power of love and care”, says Chef Irfan Pabaney, Country Head, SodaBottleOpenerWala.

“We are excited to present Happy Healthy Meals, a testament to the resilience and creativity of our parents at St. Judes. This book not only celebrates the culinary heritage of India but also serves as a beacon of hope and nourishment for our young warriors and their families.”- Mr. Anil Nair, CEO, St Jude India Childcare Centres

Children battling cancer need proper nutrition as it supports their treatment by maintaining strength and energy, supporting growth, boosting their immune function, and managing side effects. A healthy diet can help improve overall quality of life during their treatment and beyond.

These children are immuno-compromised, making them more susceptible to secondary infections. A diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants supports immune function, helping them fight illness better and recover more quickly from infections. Proper nutrition also helps them tolerate cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery better. A healthy diet ensures the body can heal, recover, and fight off infections better.

St. Jude India ChildCare Centres offer a comforting haven for children battling cancer, providing free accommodation, education, transportation, counseling, and holistic nutrition to those traveling from rural areas to cities for treatment. With 43 centers across 11 cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Vellore, Guwahati, Delhi, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam and Muzaffarpur where they extend their compassionate care to all children, regardless of economic background, ensuring they find solace and support on their challenging journey.

About St. Jude India Childcare Centres:

St. Jude India ChildCare Centres provides a home away from home for children undergoing cancer treatment. They provide free, safe, hygienic accommodation, basic education, transport to and from the treatment centres, counseling and holistic nutrition to needy affected children traveling with their parents from rural/semi-urban areas to big cities to seek the best cancer treatment. With currently 43 centers across 11 cities, they serve as an abode for any child suffering from cancer irrespective of economic status.

The NGO has gone a step further to set up St. Jude’s for Life (Founded in Memory of Mrs. Rani Vicaji) – with the intention of supporting their survivors, thereby fulfilling the organization’s motto ‘Once a St. Judes child, always a St. Judes child’. The mission with St. Judes for Life is to ensure that timely and appropriate assistance is available to St. Judes alumni to complete their education, maintain good health, and lead successful lives. St. Judes has also partnered with Star Insurance in November 2021, to provide the cover of care for children who have recovered from cancer. A first of its kind initiative, St. Jude’s has led the cause for providing inclusivity to cancer affected children in the healthcare ecosystem with this partnership. With these new initiatives, St. Jude’s is truly committed to widening its arms to care for children affected by cancer in every possible way and giving them the greatest chance at success in life.