CCFheld its third runof “SiblingsonaMission” hospital tour
on 26August 2017. The hospital tour was an activity under
theVery Important BrothersandSisters (VIBS) programme,
aimedat helping siblingsof CCFbeneficiaries copewith the
impacts of childhood cancer in the family.
Through this guided tour held at the KK Women’s and
Children’sHospital (KKH), 13siblingshad theopportunity to
learnmore about the diagnosis and treatment of childhood
cancer. Concurrently, a workshop for the caregivers was
also held to increase their understanding of the siblings’
psychosocial needsandbetter equip themwithstrategies to
address those needs.
Before the hospital tour commenced, the siblings were
invited to choose their “healthcare warrior” role from a list
of medical professions, consisting of oncology nurses,
pathologists, surgeons and radiologists. After which, they
were commissioned to fight the enemy ‘cancer’ through
a series of interactive activities with different healthcare
professionalsworking in the hospital.
In groups, the siblings visited the Laboratory, the Day
Surgery and the Department of Diagnostic Interventional
Imaging (DDII). It was an exciting first-hand experience
for them being decked in surgical scrubs, using the
laparoscopymachine, analysing real bloodsamples through
amicroscope, experimenting with the different instruments
used to generate radiographs, and administering
medication to CCF’s medical dolls, ‘Frankie’ and ‘Fannie’,
asdemonstratedby thePaediatricOncologyNursingTeam.
The tour helped to increase the siblings’ understanding of
childhood cancer, its medical treatments and the hospital
environment.Not onlywas it a funandenrichingexperience
for the siblings, they returned from the tour eased from
their fears about themedical treatments and the possibility
of cancer spreading to them. As a grand finale, an award
ceremony was held where all siblings were presented with
certificates for accomplishing the mission. In addition, the
caregivers gifted the siblings with personalised art pocket
frames that they lovingly hand-decorated during the
caregivers’ workshop.
By the end of the day, the main takeaway for the siblings
was that cancer isnot contagiousand that their sick siblings
werewell taken care of by a committed team of healthcare
professionals. Caregiverswere also affirmed of their efforts
and that theywerenot alone. Theywerealsoempowered to
findways to support siblings in the aftermath of their child’s
cancer diagnosis.
CCFwould like to thank and express our appreciation to the
DepartmentofPathologyandLaboratoryMedicine,DDII,Day
SurgeryTeam, and thePaediatricOncologyNursingTeamat
KKH for volunteering their timeandmaking this tour possible.
80 participants comprising 20 CCF beneficiaries and their
families came together on15 July2017 forCCFFamilyDay
at Katapult Trampoline Park in Yishun. The theme for this
year was “StayingFit andHavingFunTogether!”
In this three-hour funfit, the families mingled and enjoyed
quality time at the various games stations. These activities
includedModifiedDodgeBall,Hoops,SlackLine,BagJump,
ShuttleRun/Bounce,Assisted Jump andCrawl &Slide.
The trampolineplayprovidedagreatworkout for the families.
Each game comprised psychosocial elements that enabled
them to reflect through the challenges and struggles faced
as a family and to ultimately stay resilient.
The fun-filled day ended on a high note with a prize
presentation for all the families who participated. CCF
FamilyDay 2017 served as a platform to strengthen family
relationships and allow our beneficiaries and their families
to connect in a day of fun and games.
Special thanks to our volunteers for their time and effort in
supporting us for this event!
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