Citi funds 10 new St. Jude’s Centres in Navi Mumbai
Citi India has backed the launch of 10 new St. Jude India ChildCare Centres at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) in Kharghar, providing free accommodation and support to over 700 underprivileged families of child cancer patients each year.
The 12-storey facility, St. Jude’s largest to date with 234 residential units, was inaugurated Tuesday inside the Tata Memorial Centre-affiliated ACTREC campus. It addresses a critical gap for families traveling from remote areas for treatment, offering not just safe lodging but also nutritious meals, counseling, educational aid, and transport to medical appointments—essential for boosting recovery rates during lengthy therapies.
Citi is funding both capital expenditures (Capex) and operational expenses (Opex) for these 10 centres, adding to its support for an 11th in Mumbai’s Cotton Green area. The bank has partnered with St. Jude since 2014, also engaging employees through volunteering, educational events, and payroll donations.
“We are delighted that Citi India’s support has enabled this inauguration,” said K. Balasubramanian, CEO and Banking Head of Citi India, at the event. “Hygienic accommodation and nutrition are vital for successful cancer treatment outcomes. Congratulations to the team—this Kharghar facility strengthens India’s cancer care infrastructure.”
St. Jude CEO Anil Nair echoed the sentiment: “For families uprooted to cities for their child’s treatment, our centres are a second home where kids heal with dignity. We’re grateful to Citi for making our most ambitious project a reality.”
The centres target low-income families unable to afford urban stays during treatment, which can span years. Once fully operational, the complex will house more than 700 children and guardians annually, serving as a holistic hub to reduce treatment dropouts and improve survival chances.
St. Jude India, founded in 2006, now runs 48 such centres with 643 units across 12 cities, partnering with top hospitals like Tata Memorial, AIIMS, and Tata Medical Centre. In Mumbai alone, its network aids thousands facing pediatric cancer, a disease claiming over 50,000 Indian children yearly per global estimates.
Local officials and Tata Memorial representatives joined Balasubramanian, St. Jude Chairperson Manisha Parthasarathy, and Nair for the ribbon-cutting, highlighting Navi Mumbai’s growing role in specialized healthcare. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to make cancer care accessible, potentially easing pressure on Kharghar’s medical ecosystem as the city expands.
