Amaan Shah Foundation for Child Cancer

Amaan Shah is a 11 year old boy from Andhra Pradesh who was diagnosed with Burkitt's lypmphoma. Very sadly, he died while undergoing treatment. His mother very poignantly describes his journey - as only mothers can and I would strongly recommend all us health professionals and parents to read it. It brings to our attention the familiar challenges of delay in recognising the symptoms and diagnosis, the lack of referral pathways, the toxicity of treatment, the inadequate palliation of symptoms, and above all the large vacuum of information and guidance.

Amaan's parents have very bravely and courageously decided to join the cause of children with cancer and set up a foundation in his name Amaan Shah Foundation for Child Cancer. Amaan's mother Asma Pasha says "I don't want all our efforts to go waste, specially MY SON'S... I want to get strong with my emotions and lead for a good cause. What my son..me..my whole family has faced.. i wish and pray Almighty no parents and children should face that. well its all Almighty's command but still our efforts can make a difference".

I sincerely admire how Amaan's family is trying to turn personal loss and grief into a force for change. I wish them all the best.

Aman Tu Mera Hero – a very special musical fundraiser featuring Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa

From Cankids

Aman Saxena, was 17 years old when he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, with a tumor in his throat. He wanted to play the guitar and sing and perform. Instead he battled and survived cancer at AIIMS, New Delhi, even as he became an active part of Kidscan Konnect (KCK– the teenage and young adult survivor group of Cankids), cleared his Class 12 exams and took admission in Desh Bandhu College, Delhi University. Life was looking up for Aman. He joined Jazba theatre group at DU – and at the audition proceeded to teach the group how to sing Saiyan – the right way! For yes – Aman is a huge fan of Kailash Kher. His dearest wish – to meet his hero, to sing like him. Sadly, in February 2013, Aman’s cancer returned and his fight against the disease started all over. He lost his voice, and with it his will. All the other KCK survivors rallied around him, trying to raise his spirits, encouraging him to take his treatment, building up hope. 

In September 2013, planning for a Indian Pediatric Oncology (childhood cancer) conference felicitation evening and fund raiser, we decided to theme it “Tu Mera Hero” –for Aman our hero, for the doctors who were treating him. A journalist friend suggested we needed a celebrity to promote the cause and create awareness. In 9 years of our existence, we have never been able to find one. We told him we would not chase for a Star. When the time was right he would come. 

We put Aman’s wish out there in the Universe – to meet his hero Kailash Kher. And amazingly, a Cankids advisory doctor found a way to him! He agreed to meet the cancer survivors at 6 pm of Sat 14th September but not to be part of our event later that evening. 

It was a dream come true for Aman – a meeting of joy and tears and disbelief. Kailash Kher tweeted “can’t express these kids happiness ...feeling fortunate to be with them.” An hour later, and a phone call from Kailash – and there he was on stage – with Aman and the survivors and the Jazba group – singing, most appropriately for his cancer survivor fans “tere naam se jee loonga – tere naam se mar jaoon” His message to Aman,’ “You can live each day in fear of dying, or live each moment in celebration of life.” 

The very next day, thanks to a generous donor and long time friend and supporter of Cankids, was conceived the idea of a musical evening by Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa. Said Kailash, “It is you who are my hero, Aman. I dedicate this concert to you. ” So moved was he by the young cancer survivors and children, he generously offered to waive his customary fees. 

“Aman - Tu mera Hero” – is a musical concert of heroes; of the hero within; of hope, support and motivation; of celebration of love, life and in praise of God. Of immortality. 

The concert will be held on 4th April 2014 at Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi, on the occasion of the 13th International Childhood Cancer Day.

International Childhood Cancer Day

The 15th of Feb i.e. today is the International Childhood Cancer Day. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of children who have cancer and also to advocate for change. One of the huge challenges facing developing countries including India is timely diagnosis, referral and treatment. Lack of awareness among parents as well as health professionals hampers timely presentation. Absence of clear referral pathways further delays the diagnosis and treatment. The child and its family often stagger from hospital to hospital, city to city before hopefully reaching an appropriate treatment centre. Besides the cost and frustration for the family, a delayed presentation is often linked with advance stage at presentation, particularly in solid tumours. This adversely affects the outcome with greater treatment intensity, greater supportive care, greater costs, greater treatment toxicity, greater treatment abandonment rates and poorer outcomes.

The focus of various international (SIOP, UICC, ICCCPO) and national (Cankids...Kidscan) organisations this year is on Access to Care and as part of the access to care Campaign, early warning signs posters created jointly by SIOP/ICCCPO and the International Union for Cancer Control (UICC) have been translated into Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil and Malyalam by Cankids. In addition, Cankids have also released a site map of centers where children are being treated for cancer in India.

Early Warning Signs of Cancer in a Child

Treatment Centres in India