Mumbai, August 07, 2023. Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) India recently hosted its first-ever Care Conference in Mumbai, marking a significant step towards dispelling cancer myths and destigmatizing the disease within society. Held at the Outpatient Department of the Paediatric Haematology-Oncology of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, the conference saw the active involvement of RMHC India, which operates the Family Room and extends vital comfort and care to families of children enduring the challenges of cancer.
Distinguished speakers, including Shalini Jatia, Officer in Charge of ImPaCCT Foundation at Tata Memorial Hospital and Director & Board Member of RMHC India, joined forces with Mrunal Marathe, Senior Counselor at St Jude Childcare Centre, alongside a Senior Pediatric Oncologist. They were joined by parents of both current and recovered child cancer patients. The gathering also welcomed oncologists, nurses, hospital staff, and representatives from various NGOs dedicated to aiding children battling cancer.
The central goal of the RMHC India Care Conference was to expose the pervasive cancer biases, stimulate a transformative shift, and cultivate an empathetic and supportive community atmosphere. Among the key insights drawn from the thought-provoking discussions were:
- Debunking Misconceptions: One of the most prevalent misconceptions addressed was the belief that cancer is contagious, underlining the urgent need for accurate information dissemination.
- Confronting Stigma: The conference revealed that a substantial number of individuals in India refrain from disclosing their cancer diagnosis due to fear of societal stigma and discrimination, even among close family and friends.
- Treatment Abandonment: Shockingly, it was disclosed that a quarter of families discontinue their child's cancer treatment for various reasons, with stigma being a significant factor.
- Timely Detection and Positive Mindset: Oncologists in attendance highlighted that early detection and prompt treatment can lead to successful cancer recovery. Maintaining a positive outlook during the healing journey is paramount.
- Empowering Communication: Parents were advised to establish continuous communication with their children undergoing cancer treatment, as this plays a crucial role in uplifting their spirits and facilitating the healing process.
- Inclusive School Environment: Encouraging open dialogues between parents, school authorities, and teachers can significantly aid children with cancer in adapting to their educational environment and feeling a sense of belonging.
Smita Jatia, Chairwoman, RMHC India said, “We at RMHC believe that families need physical, educational, and psychological support to be present and involved in their child’s care. At our first care conference in India, we brought together families of cancer patients who have used our family room facility with doctors and community experts to discuss the issues they face while battling their kids’ cancer. It has clearly emerged that the stigma is a result of widespread misinformation about the disease. While organizations like us are making concerted efforts to dispel this myth, we hope these insights will boost the morale of families and break the taboos associated with it.”
RMHC's unwavering commitment to family-centered care has consistently focused on holistic support for families, aiming to enhance overall quality of life, psychological well-being, and the overall patient and family experience. Since its inception, RMHC India has made a profound impact, touching the lives of over 35,000 individuals in the span of six years. The families frequenting the RMHC Family Room predominantly hail from remote, underserved regions across India, driven by the dearth of accessible healthcare facilities in their hometowns.
The inaugural Care Conference organized by RMHC India stands as a testament to the organization's tireless dedication to shedding light on cancer-related challenges, fostering positive transformation, and uniting communities in the fight against cancer-related misconceptions and stigma.
