Manaswini’s body had been working hard to fight B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that affects mainly children. After two years of intensive cancer treatment, Manaswini was diagnosed with mild acute malnutrition which was affecting her progress.

Cuddles Foundation helps children fight cancer and the extreme side effects of treatment through nutritional support. ACG Cares helped to fund a timely intervention for Manaswini when her family really needed our support. Her mother, Bhaskareschwari, said: 

“We couldn’t believe it when we were told that we would be receiving so much help and food to make sure our little girl gets better. This meant that we could use the money we had to take care of other necessities like medicine. Meeting the nutritionist on daily rounds was a huge source of strength for me. She helped me understand the importance of nutrition and how to manage my little one’s diet. At some point, I felt so low and so scared. She became my family away from my family, I don’t know how I would have made it through without her kindness and care.” 


 

The upheaval was worth it. Manaswini is now in maintenance mode and improving by the day. She is back home with her family, but she continues to be supported through supplements, rations and in-meals. As a result, Manaswini’s nutritional status has now shifted from mild acute malnutrition to well nourished.

Her amazing progress has meant that Bhaskareshwari, a teacher, has been able to return to work and is now preparing for her competitive exams. She is happy she can put some of her focus back on her passion for teaching, and Manaswini can’t wait to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She said, “I want to be a teacher like my amma.” 

Her determined words are a joy to hear for the dedicated nutritionists at Cuddles Foundation. It’s the reason why they work hard 365 days a year helping children make the best recoveries possible. Manaswini’s nutritionist said: 

“These little lives are so full of potential, and our hearts go out to them. We want them to be strong. We want them to win. So we stop at nothing and do everything in our power to help them.”