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Generating finances for the chemotherapy of children with cancer
S Agarwala1, V Bhatnagar, D K Mitra
1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Insights
This study developed a system for community members to fund pediatric solid tumor treatment. The method successfully provided financial aid to 15.5% of children, with many completing therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Health Economics
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Childhood solid tumors present significant treatment costs.
- Existing financial support systems are often insufficient.
- Community involvement can be a viable funding source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a community-based financial assistance program for treating children with solid tumors.
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of individual societal members funding pediatric cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted at a Paediatric Solid Tumours Clinic.
- Affluent individuals were approached to 'adopt' a child for treatment funding.
- Donors purchased prescribed chemotherapy drugs for direct provision to patients.
Main Results:
- 45 out of 291 (15.5%) children with solid tumors received financial aid via this method.
- The proportion of children receiving assistance rose from 8.6% in 1994 to 23% in 1998.
- Of those assisted, 44.4% completed therapy and survived; others were still on therapy, died, or discontinued due to disease progression.
Conclusions:
- The community-based funding system demonstrated significant advantages.
- This approach is a recommended method for generating finances for pediatric cancer treatment.
- The model offers a sustainable solution for supporting children with solid tumors.
Background:
To develop and evaluate a system of obtaining financial assistance for the treatment of children with solid tumours by involving individual members of society.
Methods:
This prospective project was carried out at the Paediatric Solid Tumours Clinic of the Department of Paediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, from January 1994 to December 1998. Donor families were enlisted by talking to affluent people. Families who agreed to help in this effort were told that they could 'adopt' a child for the purpose of his/her treatment and that they should purchase the prescribed chemotherapeutic drugs and give them to the family of the affected child. Therapy was started once the drug was received at the hospital. This process was repeated at each subsequent visit.
Results:
Of the 291 children with solid tumours registered at the clinic, 45 (15.5%) received financial assistance by this method. The proportion of children receiving financial assistance increased from 8.6% in 1994 to 23% in 1998. Of all those who received assistance, 20 (44.4%) have completed therapy and are surviving, 11 are still on therapy, 12 died and 2 decided to discontinue therapy because of progressive disease.
Conclusions:
The advantages of this system far outweigh its disadvantages. This method of generating finances for children with cancer can be recommended to all doctors treating such children.