Cheeky little event brings cart of joy to young cancer patients
dubai — A Sharjah-based not-forprofit organisation gave little cancer survivors some reasons to cheer as they held a ‘joy cart’ for children suffering from cancer. Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP), which works to improve the lives of cancer sufferers, visited the little ones at Dubai Hospital to spread joy and positivity among them.
A main part of the joy cart was a musical puppet show presented by the UAE entertainment organisation ‘Cheeky Little Events’.
Featuring clowns, mascots and music, the show brought smiles to the children and their parents. The performance was followed by the characters from the show paying a visit to the children’s rooms at the
Each month, we bring entertainment to the youngest cancer sufferers in institutions with the aim of bringing some cheer to the clinical environment.”
Amel Almazmi, community affairs manager, FoCP
hospital, where they interacted with the youngsters on a more individual basis and distributed gifts among them.
“The FoCP exists to provide care and support for cancer sufferers of all ages, with its joy cart held every month for children who are being treated for the disease.
“Each month, we bring entertainment to the youngest cancer sufferers in institutions with the aim of bringing some cheer to the clinical environment. The event comprises multiple fun activities, including the distribution of toys and other gifts.
“Joy cart is an activity conceived specially to give emotional support to the youngest cancer patients, as well as to provide their parents with financial aid if needed,” said Amel Almazmi, beneficiary support and community affairs manager at the FoCP.
Celebrating individuality
Another initiative of the FoCP is ‘Ana’ for childhood cancer. Meaning ‘I’ in English, Ana is an initiative from the FoCP that has been specifically formulated to encourage child patients with cancer to celebrate their individuality, irrespective of their physical appearance. Ana works towards improving the lives of young cancer patients and their families by providing care and financial assistance to ease the burden of their illness.
Earlier in the year, Child4Child, a voice campaign was launched to reduce the global burden of childhood cancer on the sidelines of International Childhood Cancer Day by Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Royal Patron of FoCPand wife of Wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah.
According to the latest statistics from the World Health Organisation, there are 160,000 new cases of childhood cancer a year globally, with 90,000 deaths of children under 15.