Ankitara Foundation supports Mahesh Memorial Paediatric Oncology Centre located within the premises of the Cancer Institute, Adyar, in Chennai, India.

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Most of the children suffer from leukaemia which needs blood transfusions and other tough chemo protocols. They lose their hair, their appetite and their zest for life.  However, the brighter side of it is that the prognosis is usually good and the children can lead a fulfilling life after treatment.

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The parents of the children taken in by the charity are from a very poor background. They sell their meagre property and belongings and come to Chennai from rural areas for treating their children with just their clothes on their back.

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In 2002, Mr Mahesh Mahadevan, a music composer and a corporate head, died of cancer after being in remission twice. He finally succumbed while being treated at the Cancer Institute, Adyar. His dying wish was to help children have quality space and care to help them recover from cancer. Honouring his wishes, his friends formed a trust in Mahesh’s name. The charity is being managed by Mrs. Chitra Mahesh.

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This trust has now grown to not only provide care and treatment facilities but has also built a well-ventilated and spacious ward for children to be comfortable while being treated.

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The children’s ward has grown from 20 beds to 55 beds. The charity struggles to meet the growing demands of the increasing number of patients and is dependent solely on private funds.