In honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a puppet show event has been organised by 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital Foundation in cooperation with the Misr Foundation for Health and Sustainable Development.
(Photo Handout to DNE)
The event honoured young cancer-survivors and invited them to share their stories with other patients still receiving treatment. It also honoured the medical team responsible for their treatment.
This comes in parallel with “a house without cancer”—a programme the hospital developed to spread awareness everywhere about living a healthy life.
“Today we deliver a message to the world that anyone can be cured of cancer,” Doctor Hana Farid, director of financial development at the foundation, told Daily News Egypt.
Through the many stories told by former patients, the foundation sought to create hope that cancer can be defeated and life can go on in the process. They were delighted to tell the attendees their life stories of going to university, getting married, and even having kids, in an attempt to demonstrate the power of a strong will.
According to Farid, seven out of 10 children at the foundation have been cured. While the foundation of course offers fully comprehensive medical treatment, the organisation bears in mind that patients need an escape from the physiological effects of cancer.
The foundation utilises the experience and expertise of international doctors and professors who come to Egypt to give lectures and attend scientific or medical conferences. Farid commented: “we have to keep up-to-date and be aware of the newest scientific methods, especially when it comes to treating cancer.”
The foundation’s role with the children does not end when they’re cured, as it also provides after-care and follow-up appointments to ensure that the cancer does not reoccur.
Some companies support the foundation’s efforts by donating medical equipment and other useful items. For example, Siwa delivers bottled water to the foundation.
The young, talented Egyptian actor Yasmine Sabry is Misr Foundation’s ambassador. In a short interview with Daily News Egypt, she shared her dream of raising awareness for forgotten causes and for those in need.
What is your role at the Arab Women Organisation?
It was an honour for me to be chosen by the organisation to be its ambassador. The organisation launched “You are more important”—a campaign which focuses on women and children, especially refugees. I attended 57357 hospital’s event for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We celebrated the children who have beaten cancer and motived those who are still undergoing treatment.
(DNE Photo)
As an actor, what do you think the role of art is in raising awareness?
I believe art is very important in raising people’s awareness. However, I am separating my life as an actor from my involvement in charity matters.
I wanted to do something outside of the box to benefit people.
What upcoming activities have been organised?
Representatives from the organisation and myself, along with ambassador Mervat El-Tellawi, are visiting refugees in Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in December. We will be accompanied by a medical convoy to perform health checks for refugees.
Why are you visiting these three countries in particular?
Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq have the largest camps for Syrian refugees. We are going to address their needs and requirements, with a particular focus on female refugees.
Female refugees need hope, health awareness, and a voice.
Can you tell us your further plans?
My dream is to help Egyptian women who lack health education. Women are an important pillar in society as they pass on their principals to their children—our future.
Thus, women need social development, otherwise we will be going round in circles forever.
Our plans include helping women in debt—some women are threatened or put in jail for a debt of only EGP 1,000. We could help them repay this small amount—saving them and their children’s lives. We will visit these women in prison and help them. Afterwards we will follow up for them to receive the necessary resources about finances and budgeting.
We are already focusing on helping children; by the end of the year we address female refugees and women in debt.
Why is the organisation paying special attention to refugees?
I feel so sorry for them—they were leading a normal life then suddenly they were forced into a series of unfortunate events. Currently, this is almost the most important tragedy worldwide.
We are also concerned about girls on the streets, so there is a possibility that we will include them in next year’s plan.
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Tags: Masr Foundation for Health and Sustaining development, 57357, Yasmine Sabry, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
