Children Undergoing Medical Treatment Celebrate Rakshabandhan in Mahim
Children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses, including cancer, came together on Thursday to celebrate Rakshabandhan with their families at Ronald McDonald House India in Mahim. The celebration gave the young patients a brief break from continuous hospital visits and prolonged medical treatment on the eve of the festival.
The children crafted their own rakhis and exchanged them with their siblings during the gathering. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also joined the children and their families at the Mahim facility to participate in the celebrations and observe the support provided to patients.
The event was organised to offer children and their families an opportunity to experience a sense of normalcy, joy, and togetherness during what is often a stressful and difficult period. It also brought attention to the broader emotional and financial hurdles faced by families who travel to Mumbai from various parts of the country for specialised medical care.
Addressing the attendees, Mayor Tawde described the initiative as significant and commendable, highlighting its importance for supporting needy patients in Mumbai. She noted that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) provides assistance to cancer patients and announced that needy children undergoing cancer treatment would be supported through the Mayor's Fund in the future.
Ronald McDonald House India offers free accommodation, meals, and transportation to children receiving treatment for serious illnesses at hospitals across Mumbai, along with their accompanying families. Many of these families travel hundreds of kilometres from their hometowns and must stay in the city for weeks or months while treatment is underway.
In addition to medical bills, the ongoing costs of food, lodging, and daily travel can place a heavy financial burden on visiting families. The Mahim facility is designed to ease this strain by providing accommodation close to hospitals, daily transit to and from medical centres, meals, recreational activities, and psychosocial support.
For the children and their parents, the Rakshabandhan event offered an opportunity to step away from the routine of hospitals and treatment for a few hours, surrounded by family members and traditional festivities.
