They may be navigating cancer treatment, but they’re still kids who want to learn, play, make friends and have fun. Green Pistachio visited an Access Life centre in Mumbai to meet its little ‘Bravehearts’ and see how a safe space, everyday routines and a community of support help make room for childhood beyond hospital walls.

Bravehearts come in all shapes and sizes. We met a few tiny ones on an ordinary afternoon (that soon became quite special) at an Access Life centre in Mumbai.

They were curious, chatty and eager to interact. There were conversations, activities and the kind of everyday bustle you’d expect to find wherever children gather. What made this place different was what brought these families here in the first place: childhood cancer treatment, often far from home.

Access Life calls these children its Bravehearts. And while September sees landmarks across India light up gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to see what supporting these little championsBravehearts looks like beyond the awareness campaigns and hospital walls.

A roof over your head. And quite a bit more.

Imagine travelling from a small town to a city for your child’s cancer treatment. You’re navigating unfamiliar hospitals, lengthy treatment schedules and the shock of a diagnosis no parent is prepared for. Now add another question to the list: where are you going to live for the next several months?

For many families from underprivileged backgrounds, this is a real problem. Treatment can last five to twelve months, sometimes extending to two years. Not everyone has relatives in the city or the money to rent a place near the hospital. Some families end up sleeping on footpaths; others are forced to abandon treatment.

This is where Access Life comes in. Established in 2014, the registered not-for-profit organisation provides free accommodation and holistic support to children undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers. Today, it operates 15 centres across India, supporting over 230 families at a time.

And no, it isn’t simply a matter of handing over a room key and wishing everyone luck.

Families have access to accommodation, groceries, nutritional support and transport to and from hospitals. Dedicated educators help children continue learning, while counsellors provide emotional and psychological support. Volunteers organise activities such as storytelling, crafts and other recreational sessions.

In short, Access Life takes care of some of the everyday challenges that come with seeking treatment far from home, so families have fewer things to worry about while their children receive medical care.

The unexpected joy of an ordinary afternoon

When Green Pistachio recently visited one of the centres in Chembur, Mumbai, two things stood out. First, the space was exceptionally well-maintained. The hygiene, organisation, supplies and general management—everything was meticulous; the thoughtfulness evident. Second, the atmosphere was far livelier than one might expect.

The children were welcoming, curious and eager to interact. There was lively conversation, energy and a sense of community that made the centre feel less like an institution and more like a place where people were getting on with everyday life.

Of course, a cheerful afternoon doesn’t mean the difficult moments disappear. Cancer treatment is demanding for children and caregivers alike. But children still need opportunities to learn, play, make friends and do the things children do. Their lives cannot revolve around hospital visits alone.

That’s what makes the everyday details of Access Life’s work worth paying attention to. A safe place to sleep, a nutritious meal, a lesson with a teacher or an afternoon spent making something with a volunteer might seem ordinary enough. For a family navigating treatment in an unfamiliar city, these things can help bring some routine back into an otherwise uncertain period.

Why the cities go gold

Every September, Access Life’s Golden Lighting initiative takes childhood cancer awareness into public spaces. Landmarks and community buildings are illuminated in gold, joining a global movement to stand alongside children and families affected by cancer.

The initiative now spans cities including Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Manipal, Coimbatore, Madurai and Noida, with several landmarks joining for the first time in 2026. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Headquarters have participated for ten years, while the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has been part of the initiative for four.

The idea is simple—move the conversation beyond hospital walls. A familiar landmark glowing gold might prompt someone to ask a question, look up the cause or share the message with someone else. That creates an opportunity to talk about childhood cancer and the challenges families face while seeking treatment.

Awareness shouldn’t be limited to those already familiar with the issue. The more people understand what families go through, the more visible their needs become.

And when the lights go off

The Golden Lighting initiative is the part of Access Life’s work that people can see from across a city, and even across the country. The rest happens every day, in shared kitchens, learning sessions, conversations with counsellors, trips to hospitals and activities that give children a break from treatment.

Visiting the centre brought these two sides of the organisation together. The golden lights draw attention to childhood cancer; the work inside the centres addresses some of the challenges children and their families face throughout treatment.

No Child Fights Cancer Alone is Access Life’s message. And while a building illuminated in gold can help spread it, the idea takes shape in the day-to-day support that families can rely on long after September ends.

You can be part of that support, too—by volunteering your time, contributing resources, spreading the word, or lighting up come September. Every September, Access Life’s Golden Lighting initiative brings people and landmarks across India together for childhood cancer awareness.

Would you like to light up for a cause next September? Get in touch with Access Life to explore how your organisation, institution or community can participate. Beyond awareness, it’s up to us to keep the conversation going.

Because every little Braveheart deserves to know that they’re not fighting alone.

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