- Success Stories
Children Whose Lives We've Transformed
Behind every statistic is a child — a story of struggle, hope, and triumph. These are just a few of the 4,200+ lives we’ve touched.
Arjun was a young boy with Type 1 diabetes. One day, he became critically ill due to DKA and was declared dead by a doctor. With no money for treatment, his mother carried him in an auto, hoping to find help. On the way, she stopped at a private hospital and carried Arjun inside. Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan examined him and found his heart was still beating — he immediately started treatment and put Arjun on a ventilator. Arjun was in a coma. His mother pleaded that his 8th birthday was in four days and asked the doctor not to let it become his death day. After four days of treatment, Arjun recovered — on his 8th birthday. Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan and his team decorated the ward and brought his parents in, filled with happiness. This experience inspired Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan to start Idhayangal Charitable Trust to support children with Type 1 diabetes who cannot afford treatment. Today, Idhayangal supports Arjun with insulin and education, and he is now studying in his third year of catering.
His 8th birthday is in four days. Please save him. I don't want his birthday to become his death day.
— Arjun's motherA life saved became the beginning of many more lives being supported. Arjun is Idhayangal's Star of the Month.
— Team Idhayangal
Yuvashree is an 18-year-old girl living with Type 1 diabetes and receiving support from Idhayangal Charitable Trust. Her father had passed away, and her mother worked as a housemaid to support the family. One day, Yuvashree came to the hospital with pain in her left leg. Doctors found cancer, and her leg had to be removed immediately to stop it from spreading. Yuvashree stayed strong and bravely accepted the surgery. The very next day, she called Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan and told him her leg had been removed but she had no pain — her courage inspired everyone. Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan personally supported her in getting an artificial limb, and after treatment and training, Yuvashree learned to walk again. As she had promised, she walked into Idhayangal one day. Today, Yuvashree has completed a beautician course. During Idhayangal's 9th Annual Day, she even helped with saree draping for the staff, earned ₹5,000 — and donated ₹500 of it back to Idhayangal.
My leg has been removed, but I have no pain.
— YuvashreeYuvashree's courage turned the hardest situation into a new beginning. She is Idhayangal's Star of the Month.
— Team Idhayangal
Krishnitha entered Idhayangal just a few months ago with days to live — glucose of 600, emaciated, and seemingly no hope. But with a small helping hand from Idhayangal, this amazing child fought back with such grace and a smile, despite a huge thigh abscess, septicemia, and severe hyperglycemia. Within months, disciplined insulin pump therapy brought her glucose levels under control. In a proud moment for her and her family, Krishnitha recently received a prize at the State Abacus Competition.
We had given up hope. Watching her smile and compete again feels like a miracle.
— Krishnitha's parentsEveryday at Idhayangal is life's learning from our children on beating the odds with such grace and fierce determination. Krishnitha and her parents are Idhayangal's Stars of the Month.
— Team Idhayangal
Makilamuthan Naveen, a 2-year-old child from Erode, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus 9 months ago. His HbA1c is 9.4%, with a history of one DKA admission and one hypoglycemic admission due to poor insulin administration techniques. His father is a salon worker with alcohol dependence, while his mother, Mrs. Vidhya, works in a textile company. The family's monthly income is approximately Rs.22,000. Due to domestic issues, Mrs. Vidhya is currently residing at Thayagam Social Service Society with the support of Idhayangal. Makilamuthan Naveen is the 4,000th registered beneficiary of Idhayangal Charitable Trust and has been enrolled for continued diabetes care and support.
"Every child deserves access to the right diabetes care, support, and a chance to live a healthy future."
— Team IdhayangalMakilamuthan Naveen's journey marks a significant milestone for Idhayangal as our 4,000th registered beneficiary.
— Idhayangal Charitable Trust
Selvanayaki is proof that Type 1 diabetes is no deterrent to excellence. Coming from a poor family and enduring relentless insulin injections four times a day, she never let her condition slow her down. She scored an incredible 489 out of 500 in her 10th grade board exams, including a perfect 100/100 in Science, and topped her school. Selvanayaki now dreams of becoming an Endocrinologist so she can help children like herself.
Every injection, every hard day — it was all worth it to see her stand as school topper.
— Selvanayaki's parentsSelvanayaki and her awesome parents are Idhayangal's Stars of the Month.
— Team Idhayangal
At the Joys of Idhayangal camp in Pondicherry, Dev Dharshini from Vadalur reminded everyone what true strength looks like. Facing absolute poverty, brittle Type 1 diabetes requiring insulin four times a day, and a severe neuro-developmental delay, she was still the happiest child at camp — a brightness that seemed to dwarf the sun. Despite everything, her family has helped her keep her A1c steady at 8%.
We do not complain. She is happy, and that is all we ever ask for.
— Dev Dharshini's parentsDev Dharshini and her parents gave all of us at camp a lesson in how beautiful life is, and how grateful we should be every single day. They are Idhayangal's Stars of the Month.
— Team Idhayangal250+
Insulin pumps deployed
12,000+
HbA1c tests annually
14
Centres of Excellence
5,000+
CGM sensors distributed
- Overview
Beyond insulin: complete diabetes management
Sakthivel & Family Stars of the Month
Patient Family
Idhayangal proudly inaugurated its 14th Type 1 Diabetes Specialized Care Centre in Madurai, marking a milestone after 15 years of service in the region. The occasion became even more meaningful with Arjun, once saved from severe diabetic coma, now pursuing his final year of Catering Technology. We sincerely thank Justice S. Srimathy, Shri Sundaram, Varalotti Anna, and Rasi Seeds for making this life-changing centre possible. Together, they are Idhayangal Stars of the Month.
Madurai Centre PartnersHealthcare Partners
CSR Partner
Avantor, NMCT & SupportersHealthcare Partners
Donor
Supporting insulin without glucometers and glucose strips is like sending a soldier into battle without bullets. Thanks to Right to Live (Kote Foundation) and LFAC Australia, over 3,800 glucometers and 100 glucose strips per child every month have helped reduce diabetic emergency admissions across Tamil Nadu by more than 90%. Their unwavering commitment has transformed thousands of lives. They are truly Idhayangal Stars of the Month.
Right to Live & LFAC AustraliaHealthcare Partners
Donor
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