Founders of Global Children’s Cancer Foundation
Dr. Somasundaram Jayabose
Dr. Somasundaram Jayabose is a pediatric oncologist dedicated to helping children with cancer in low-income countries.
After working as the chief of Pediatric Oncology at New York Medical College-Westchester Medical Center from 1981 to 2009, he and his wife Nirmala Jayabose moved to Madurai, India. They worked there for 4 years, and established a new pediatric cancer center at Meenakshi Mission Hospital. He also started the Camila Children's Cancer Fund to ensure care for all children with cancer regardless of their ability to pay.
From 2016 to 2020, he served as the medical director of Jiv Daya Foundation, Dall, TX helping more than 45 pediatric cancer centers in India—providing staff support (nurses, social workers, and pharmacists) and financial support. During these years, he learned about the challenges faced by patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff t, and how to overcome them.
With this background experience, Dr. Jayabose and his wife Nirmala Jayabose have established the Global Children’s Cancer Foundation to help children in more low-income countries.
Mrs. Nirmala Jayabose
Mrs.Nirmala worked side by side with her husband Dr.Jayabose and has been instrumental in rendering several successful programs. She initially worked at the Division of Pediatric Oncology-Hematology, helping parents of children with cancer to get the maximum benefits from their insurance coverage between the years 1982 and 2009 inclusive.
Between 1993 and 2009, she served as a member of the Children’s Cancer Fund Committe organizing powerful fund-raising events for the Children’s Cancer Fund. She also worked closely with Dr. Jayabose as an administrator in the newly established Camila Children’s Cancer Center in Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India from 2010 till 2014. She continues to work with her husband in all possible areas to help families with young children undergoing cancer treatments.