Editorial comment – One for the kids

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Kids enjoy their fun day at Lautoka’s Childrens park. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

Yesterday children under the WOWS Kids Fiji program enjoyed a day out with family and friends who helped them forget about their daily struggles.

Fun activities and games were organised by the WOWS Kids Fiji team of volunteers who brought out birthday cakes for three of the young patients in Lautoka.

According to WOWS Kids Fiji co-ordinator Viola Lesi, it was an opportunity for the children, their parents and their siblings to have a day of fun and laughter.

Living with cancer is not for the faint-hearted. Such days, people like Ms Lesi know, are helpful for the children and their support base.

There are many things in life that we are not able to control, and many things that we take for granted.

Sometimes, life can be tough on us. We sometimes fear hardship and dread the thought of overwhelming odds staring back at us.

Whenever cancer is raised, many people already have a pre-conceived notion that death is the next step.

It is normal for the masses to instantly tie death to cancer.

Not many people may understand or appreciate what parents and guardians who have children suffering life-threatening illnesses like cancer go through daily.

For many children at the CWM Hospital’s oncology ward in Suva for instance, it is difficult to tell that some of them are quite sick.

In between the rounds of strong medication, some of which are very painful, they are children first.

They love doing things little children are expected to do.

They can be quite inquisitive, friendly, and many make friends easily and leave a lasting impression when it is time to go home, or move on.

However, they know they are special.

They are showered with love and a lot of attention by their parents, guardians and the doctors and nurses.

For their families, life revolves around the children.

Sadly though, there have been cases of such children been neglected and abandoned by their family because of their condition.

Being diagnosed with a serious illness does impact the lives of family members who have to live with the knowledge that their loved one is different.

Every day families cling on to hope and must be brave for their little ones.

Parents and guardians will spend countless nights in hospital.

They will have sleepless nights and they will worry, be frustrated, and many harbour a sense of doubt and insecurity.

Every day they put on an imaginary mask to cover the pain they feel.

Special mention must be made for all those in the background who extend an arm to give some hope to these little children once a month.

They include families and businesshouses.

Without a doubt, a key message is on early detection.

This is a very positive element. Early detection is a critical part of fighting cancer. It can make a difference.

That is why there is a great need for vigilance and awareness.

Let’s try to understand, appreciate and embrace cancer awareness.

Let’s do this for our children.

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