Transforming Treatment: Creating the LCIF Recreation Room in Kasturba Hospital

“Even though treatments from qualified facilities and medical professionals can save children’s lives when they are faced with a cancer diagnosis, many families do not fulfill the recommended treatment plans,” says Melvin Jones Fellow Lion Dr. M.K. Bhat. Kasturba Medical College, in Kasturba Hospital, located in Manipal, Udupi, India, has had a major problem with treatment abandonment and refusal.

About 80% of the patients who are on treatment in the Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology are below the poverty line and nearly 60% of these patients and families travel more than 200 kilometers to receive treatment, making adherence to cancer follow-up care incredibly difficult for their families.

Additionally, cancer care centres are not often equipped with comfortable or recreational facilities, making the experience even more challenging for children and families. However, it has been shown that adding recreational activities, like reading or watching sports, into therapy can make the experience more pleasant and encourage them to come back for their follow-ups on time.

To enhance the treatment and therapy experience for patients and their families, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) awarded Lions of District 317C a US$10,000 Childhood Cancer Grant. This grant was used

to  repurpose a section of Kasturba Hospital into a youth-friendly recreational area for paediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment.

The Lions’ project successfully renovated an area near the paediatric oncology ward into two recreational rooms. One room is now an educational space with Lions visiting regularly to teach the patients. It is well equipped with a television, white board, tables, reading lights and books for children ages three to 18. Kasturba Medical College and other local donors generously provided books, toys and other recreational materials. The second room has been designed with comfortable couches to address the need for a relaxing waiting space for low-income paediatric cancer patients and their families who travel long distances.

The cancer centre generally treats about 8,000 new cancer patients each year. Its paediatric haematology and oncology ward serves about 250 children annually and has 20 beds, a dedicated paediatric nutritionist, and doctors and nurses trained in paediatric oncology.

Services include bone marrow transplantation and a day care unit for outpatient-based blood transfusion and chemotherapy.

The LCIF Recreation Room officially opened on June 5, 2023, and is projected to benefit around 215 children and their parents each year, providing a comfortable and supportive space for them. “It was so beautiful to see how this space has transformed into a place filled with hope and positivity. I am incredibly proud to be a part of it” says Lion Bhat. This project is a testament to how much a grant-funded initiative can positively impact a community. As Lions and Leos continue to act with compassion, LCIF will support their efforts through meaningful grant opportunities, creating more opportunities to help people around the world.

Learn more about how LCIF India is bringing hope to families fighting childhood cancer and bringing hope to families in need.

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