Cuddles Foundation
Cuddles Foundation nourishes children in their fight against cancer. Because #Foodheals
Feed Children. Starve Cancer.
Every year, approximately 76,000 children in India may develop cancer, with 58% of them being severely malnourished at the time of diagnosis. For these children, nutrition can mean the difference between life and death. Every child deserves a chance at a cure, and we are here to make that happen.
At Cuddles Foundation, we partner with over 40 government and charity cancer hospitals to support children through our FoodHeals program. Our mission is to ensure that children undergoing cancer therapy receive comprehensive nutritional support. This includes access to trained clinical pediatric nutritionists, expert dietary counsel, supplements, hot meals, monthly ration baskets, and caregiver support. Good food helps the medicine work!
This multi-pronged approach tackles a simple but often ignored aspect of a child’s successful recovery from cancer. While undergoing treatment, it is essential that children have freshly prepared, nutritious food in sufficient quantity and don't stay hungry for long periods. The impact of our work is evident. When part of the FoodHeals Program, 82%* of patients improved or maintained their nutritional status, despite cancer therapy like chemotherapy or radiation.
Additionally, 96% of children followed up* on their treatment plan when nutrition was a part of it, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness. Besides the love and affection of our patients, their families, and our supporters, we’ve won some prestigious awards along the way. This includes the National Award for Child Welfare (2015-16), the Akshaya Patra and UN Global Compact Award (2018) and most recently we received the Global CSR & ESG Awards 2024 - Top 10 Best NGOs of the Year (2024).
Join us in our mission to nourish hope and fight childhood cancer. Your support can make a world of difference.
As per Cuddles annual impact statistics 2023-24* Follow-up treatment rate: Patients who returned for a second visit or continued treatment when nutrition was a part of it.*
Fundraisers
Official fundraiser
Feed a Child. Starve Cancer.
Childhood cancer can be cured. But for children in India, it’s a very different story. Lack of access to timely treatment and malnutrition among those seeking treatment makes survival difficult for children. ~76,000 adolescents (age 0-19) may develop cancer every year in India of which ~ 40% are malnourished at diagnosis. Malnutrition has a serious impact on cancer treatment, because treatments like chemotherapy may lead to side effects, complications, risk of infections, etc. Studies have shown that the survival rate increases to 70% when treatment is multidisciplinary including nutrition. The dismal survival rates and a lack of focus on nutrition gave birth to Cuddles Foundation in 2013. Cuddles Foundation is India’s only not for profit that provides personalized, holistic nutritional aid to underprivileged children fighting cancer. We place our specially trained Pediatric Oncology Nutritionists at government cancer hospitals in India. Our culturally sensitive protocols developed with experts help them create customized, affordable diet plans to optimize nutrition during treatment, giving them the best shot at a cure. We focus on underprivileged children, providing nutritional supplements, nutrient dense snacks, hot meals, & monthly rations until treatment completion. This holistic approach has demonstrably improved outcomes, with 18,100+ children completing their treatment last year alone. Join us in our mission to nourish hope and fight childhood cancer. Your support can make a world of difference.
- Raised
- $3,940
- Goal
- $5,000
18 supporters
DonateOfficial fundraiser
Ramadan Blessings: Support Cuddles Foundation
Children like 10-year-old Saharuddin who is fighting ALL at our partner hospital have had their conditions take a positive turn with this support. When Saharuddin met his Cuddles Nutritionist for the first time, he was severely thin and so weak that he couldn’t stand. With several timely and scientifically managed nutritional interventions like Oral Nutritional Supplements and Rations, he was able to regain his strength and complete high doses of chemotherapy successfully. “I had to stop my work as a construction laborer and had to sell the family’s cattle to get my son the treatment he needed. When I found out that the food for the family would be taken care of thanks to Cuddles, I was able to put my complete energy into helping my son get treatment.” - The nutritional support and emotional guidance provided help primary caregivers like Saharuddin’s father stay positive during the hardest chapter of their lives. Why is nutrition the need of the hour? Childhood cancer is curable when a child is nourished well enough to cope with the side effects of cancer therapy. But in India, up to 40% of children with cancer are found to be severely malnourished at diagnosis, making survival a problem. When Cuddles reaches out to these children, they work to ensure that no child fights cancer on an empty stomach. Exciting news: Milk is now included in our Ration Baskets , providing vital support for children facing challenges in solid food consumption during treatment. Ration basket details: 1) Monthly basket for a family of four. 2) Includes 33-34 items like cereals, pulses, millets, nuts, oilseeds, ghee, oil, spices, and hygiene products. The monthly cost of a ration basket is $60
- Raised
- $275
- Goal
- $1,000
1 supporter
DonateDonors
Jessica Espey 2A fab initiative. Wishing you much luck with this fundraising drive! Best wishes from the UK
RAJPAL Singh 1Great cause
Sarun Sasi Pallavi Gopinath Aney
