A special gift for kids with cancer
They face the pain with smiles and battle the disease with patience and determination; their courage a source of inspiration for others. Children with cancer are often overlooked by society. Even before the pandemic, they are in constant need of care and psychological support and the outbreak has magnified the problems that they face.
Understanding the challenges that these children face, the Oman Cancer Association (OCA) South Al Sharqiyah had launched an activity that would bring smiles to these children.
The branch surprised the children with Eid al Fitr gifts.
“Presenting gifts to children with cancer on the occasion of Eid al Fitr is the way of OCA South Al Sharqiyah branch to bring joy and happiness to these children and their families. Through these gifts, it is the goal of the group to help them to at least, forget their disease for a little while,” shared Dr Mohammed bin Ibrahim al Farsi, president of OCA South Al Sharqiyah branch.
“The gifts were sent to children at the Oman Cancer Associations’ Dar al Hanan, a home for children with cancer where they are housed while receiving their chemotherapy treatment at the Royal Hospital,” Al Farsi said.
He added that different batch of gifts will also be sent directly to the homes of children with cancer in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
‘We wanted them to enjoy these gifts. We also make sure that the gifts they receive will help enhance their abilities to move inside the house and contribute to their overall immunity. In addition to the gifts, we also send nominal amount to serve as their
“eidiya.” Our goal is to shower them with these gifts and make them happy,” he added.
Al Farsi said that for cancer patients to receive gifts has an impact on their psychological needs thereby helping them strengthen their immunity.
“Gift plays important role in enhancing the child’s immunity against cancer. Some scientific studies have proven that continuously making the child happy contributes to their speedy recovery. The gift is a symbolic element to help them heal. Also, by giving them gifts that they can play with, we also allow them to interact with other children giving them the psychological support they need,” Al Farsi expounded.
Among the association’s programmes is online meeting with children and their families to congratulate them on Eid, talk with them and find out their requirements.
The number of children who benefited from the initiative totals 30 — 16 children are in Dar Al-hanan, and the rest of children are distributed in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
“Today I am very excited and happy for the gift, Eid Mubarak to you,” Aseel al Musharfi, a cancer patient said.
“Thanks to the association for the Eid gift and the efforts made to make my daughter and all cancer children happy, and grateful for the efforts of providing the healthcare needed,” Aseels’ mother said.
The association provides various services to cancer patients, and this includes providing them with necessary medical equipment, facilitating the appointments for cancer patients in hospitals of South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and raising funds to support the association’s activities.
While the association faces a lot of challenges due to the pandemic, the leadership and members and volunteers are committed to delivering the required services expected from them.
Adhering to the strict regulations set by the Supreme Committee, OCA South Al Sharqiyah transformed an old residence to serve as their headquarters to deliver visual communication to members. The association was officially recognised by the Ministry of Social Development in 2010 by April 23, 2021, they moved to the new building to enhance the services they deliver to their causes.
Dr Mohammed said that currently, there are three employees in the new building and a new board of directors elected on March 25 consisting of seven members for a period of two years. The association will strive to continue achieving the general goals of the association, which is promoting health awareness among members of the society about cancer prevention.