At a very young age, Prathamesh Kabade, 9, has been through an extremely difficult and challenging phase of life as a cancer patient over the past year. Surviving the deadly disease – lymphoblastic leukemia – after multiple visits to the Tata Memorial Hospital and an intensive treatment procedure, he now looks forward to a four-day outdoor camp organised by the hospital trust to Garudmachi for children like him. The Improving Paediatric Cancer Care and Treatment Foundation (ImPaCCT) of the hospital has taken up the initiative, which includes children who are fighting the disease as well. The trip will help the kids spend time with each other without their parents. Fifty-nine children from various parts of the country, accompanied by three doctors from the Pedriatric Oncology Department, social workers and other staff members, set out for Garudmachi (200 km from Mumbai) on November 10.

Therapeutic trip

Dr Shripad Banavali, head of the Pedriatric Oncology Department said that just curing the children was not enough and while they have been participating in various competitions like the Russian Olympics, a camping trip would help boost their confidence. "These children haven't been able to go anywhere because of the intensive treatment they undergo. By participating in the activities that have been planned for them, they will be able to bond and learn to cope with challenges. They will also learn life skills which will help boost their confidence," added Dr Banavali. He further said that the Foundation spent Rs 22 lakh to organise the trip and they also wished to do it again.