Special Tet celebration for child patients battling with cancer in hospital

When a person suffers from cancer, the life of the patient and other family members is turned upside down. This is especially true in the case of child patients who are receiving treatment at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT).

When the Tet holiday comes, it seems to be the hardest time for child patients because they must remain in hospital instead of going out and enjoying the festive atmosphere  like other healthy peers.

For these little patients, they can’t understand why they must have needles in their arms, or why they have to undergo blood transfusions and endure pain every day. The care and love they receive from family members and society as a whole can therefore have a major impact on their progress.

Vu Minh Duc, 14, has received treatment for blood cancer since he was five, and he has celebrated Tet in hospital for five years. Duc says he still feels happy because his mother, friends and doctors are always with him.

“I have already celebrated Tet in hospital for five years. Every day, I called my brother and chatted for a while,” says Duc.

“In hospital several volunteer groups launched a number of cultural activities, such as singing, dancing, and magic shows in the hope of bringing people like me a festival of joy,” he recalls.

The 14-year-old boy notes that they also delivered Chung - an indispensable cake for Tet - to patients and their relatives to enjoy during Tet.

“Doctors and nurses here also encouraged us to eat, drink and rest to stay healthy and strong enough to fight the disease," Duc shares.

According to Ly Thi Hao, head of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion's social work board, Duc is one of hundreds of “little warriors" at the hospital who never get a day off from their fight against blood cancer.

She says during their stay, the children continue to smile and share with each other as the time they spend at the hospital is probably longer than the time they get to spend at home.

“It's happy for us to say goodbye to anyone of these small patients discharged for Tet celbration with their family,” confides Hao.

Hao says every year the NIHBT holds various Tet activities for pediatric patients by offering them Tet gifts and free transportation.

“Along with that, the NIHBT also coordinates with charitable societies and sponsors to organize events for each small group of patients. That could be a great source of inspiration for them to fight their disease,” states the doctor.

“Even though the cancer medicines’ side effects cause them to feel tired some time, those kids still felt happy to join the event. Their faces shine with hope because they know they are not alone in the battle,” Hao concludes.