As part of CCF’s Very Important Brothers and Sisters (VIBS) programme,
‘SiblingsonaMission’hospital tourwasconductedatKKWomen’sandChildren’s
Hospital (KKH) on 27August 2016. The guided tour aimed to empower siblings
of CCF beneficiaries to copewith the impacts of childhood cancer in the family
by learning more about the diagnosis and treatment process associated with
childhood cancer.
Upon their arrival atKKH, 11siblingswereexcitedas theychose their respective
‘healthcare warrior’ identities from a selection of medical professions! Some
wanted tobeoncologynurseswhileotherspreferred tobesurgeons,pathologists
or radiologists. The ‘warriors’ were commissioned to fight theenemy ‘cancer’ by
completing a series of challenges alongside different healthcare professionals
working in the hospital.
In groups, the siblings visited the laboratory, operating theatre and the
Department of Diagnostic Interventional Imaging (DDII). It was an eye-opening
experienceas theygot towear surgical scrubs, experimentwith the laparoscopy
machine, analyse real blood samples through a microscope and administer
chemotherapy tomedical dolls for the very first time.
The tour helped the siblings familiarise with the medical procedures to reduce
their fear towards the hospital environment and assured them that their unwell
siblingsare receiving goodcare. Italso increased theparticipants’understanding
of childhood cancer and the different medical treatments available for their
siblings. At the end of the tour, there was an award ceremony where all the
‘warriors’ received certificates for accomplishing theirmission!
CCFwould like to thank theDepartment of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine, DDII, Day Surgery Team and the
PaediatricOncologyNursingTeamat KKH for volunteering
their time andmaking this tour possible.
Siblingson aMission
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