Parents enjoy respite

FORTY PARENTS of Israeli children with cancer spent a week in London, courtesy of Zichron Menachem.

During the respite break, they visited some of the capital’s historic sites, took a boat trip on the Thames and saw a West End show. They were also at a reception attended by the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor David Longstaff, to raise awareness of Zichron Menachem’s work in Israel and the UK.

It was addressed by Professor Reuven Or, the charity’s new medical adviser.

“We cannot neglect the connection between the mental health and the physical health of patients,” he said. “Patients with optimism and a positive attitude do better and when their parents are happy and feel less stress, the children feel safer and more relaxed. No child with cancer can be treated comprehensively without the support that Zichron Menachem provides.”

Among the group was Elana Michelson, whose son Elihu was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma last year. “Zichron Menachem not only brought me on this amazing trip — my son is being taken care of by their volunteers while I’m away,” she said. “They take him to his daily radiotherapy appointment and entertain him during the day.”

Eli Seliger, chair of Zichron Menachem UK, pointed out: “For many of the parents, this is the first time in months they have been able to sit next to their spouse, talk and relax together. We are grateful to our many supporters in the UK that we were able to help these families.”