Mumbai: Cancer treatment presents significant emotional and mental challenges for children and their caregivers. Recognising this, the Third Circle team at St. Judes focuses on delivering comprehensive emotional support to families residing at its centres. Through various educational and interactive initiatives, the organisation promotes the overall well-being of children and their families, offering them opportunities to experience normalcy and resilience amidst their treatment journeys.
Facilitated by ChessMates Academy in the Cotton Green Campus, the session began on February 11, 2025, introducing the families to the game, explaining its benefits in improving focus, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Encouraging children to take up chess not only offers a fun and intellectually stimulating activity but also helps them build confidence and sportsmanship. Children were provided with chessboards from the academy as a gift.
At Kharghar Centres, the pilot chess programme was officially launched on February 18, 2025, in collaboration with volunteers from the Teach Chess India initiative by Chess Base Academy. The inaugural session introduced the academy’s favourite ‘ChessPa’ character. During the event, children were provided with chessboards, a demo chessboard, and a ChessPa book to kickstart their chess journey by the Academy. At our Chennai Centres, the pilot programme was officially introduced on 16th Feb 2025 in partnership with T Nagar Chess Academy.
Anil Nair, CEO of St. Judes, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme, stating, “At St. Judes, we believe in nurturing the spirit as much as the body. The Chess Coaching Programme is a wonderful opportunity for our children to engage their minds, find joy, and build resilience. We are grateful to our partners for helping us bring this initiative to life and supporting our mission to empower families during their toughest moments.”
Through the integration of such thoughtful and stimulating activities, St. Judes remains dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children and families affected by cancer. The Chess Coaching Programme underscores the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering emotional strength and hope during challenging times.