Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Teenager Rebuilds Childhood for Families Facing Cancer in Kolkata
When Hridaan Jhunjhunwala was four, he visited a hospital with his mother while his grandfather received cancer treatment.
He saw many children waiting in the hospital and realized they were scared and bored.
He began bringing them chocolates, games and drinks.
He also helped families who could not afford medicines or nutritional supplements.
As he grew older, he collected toys, organized celebrations and arranged safe trips to festivals.
He started giving children school supplies and presents during holidays.
Hridaan and a family friend later created LiveStrong Foundation India.
The foundation has helped more than 500 families dealing with serious illness.
Hridaan hopes to study physics and mechanical engineering and eventually use what he learns to help people in India.
Hridaan Jhunjhunwala began helping children in Kolkata hospitals after accompanying his grandfather to cancer treatment in 2013.
His early efforts included distributing chocolates, games and juices, and helping families pay for medicines and nutritional supplements.
He later organized toy drives, festive outings, birthday celebrations, school-supply drives and other activities for children facing serious illness.
Hridaan and a family friend registered LiveStrong Foundation India after donations grew beyond informal efforts.
The foundation says it has supported more than 500 families with medical treatment, chemotherapy, food, supplies and morale-building events.
- Who
- Hridaan Jhunjhunwala, his mother, a family friend and LiveStrong Foundation India.
- What
- A teenage volunteer effort grew into a foundation supporting children and families facing critical illness.
- When
- The effort began in 2013; Hridaan is now in Class 12.
- Where
- Kolkata, India, including local hospitals and community venues.
- Why
- To reduce fear and isolation among children in hospitals and help families manage medical and everyday needs.
- Founder
- Hridaan Jhunjhunwala, with a close family friend
- Foundation
- LiveStrong Foundation India
- Support provided
- Medical treatments, chemotherapy cycles, food bundles and school supplies
- Families supported
- More than 500 families
- Early initiative
- Distributing chocolates, games and drinks to children in hospitals
- Community activities
- Toy drives, birthday celebrations, festival visits and school-supply drives
- Current stage
- Hridaan is in Class 12 and plans to apply to international universities for physics and mechanical engineering