By Jeremiah Ongili and Beryl Okendo.
JOOTRH today received a team from the Lions Clubs Kisumu Host who came to make a difference at the hospital by bringing joy to the children of Obama.
Lions Clubs Kisumu Host is a branch of the Lions International Club whose headquarters are based in Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S., and one of the largest service club organizations in the world with more than 400 million people served and more than 1.4 million service activities offered.
Their visit to JOOTRH was warmly received because they came bearing different opportunities and love for the children of Obama hospital.
They brought with them snacks (biscuits), milk, and fruits to share with the children. Their visit came at the right time because September is a cancer awareness month and they majorly deal with issues relating to children with cancer.
The foodstuff they brought were delightedly received by DR. Maureen Muchela and DR. Ogolla D.S who are pediatricians from the Obama children’s hospital at JOOTRH.
The food staff and general visit were to show the cancer children that despite their conditions, there are still people in the world who are ready to stand with them through their healing journey and smile together. It was to show despite their conditions they are still one of us who deserve much love as we do and we are with them and together we will kick cancer.
The team, led by Club President Lion Hasmakh Pabari came to show a light of hope to the children living with cancer and their parents. September being a cancer month for the club, they came in solidarity with JOOTRH in the fight against cancer in children. The Lions Club Kisumu took the initiative to sponsor the treatment of two children in JOOTRH born with cancer by paying for their comprehensive treatment insurance through the National Health Insurance Fund.
Cancer in children has been of less occurrence with the most prevalent cases reported being those of Leukaemia (cancer of the blood), Lymphomas, and Tumours of the central nervous system. Childhood cancer can occur suddenly without early symptoms therefore parents should keep be always seek treatment and not ignore any slight changes in the behavior or appearance of their children. The symptoms and treatment of different childhood cancer depend on the type of cancer and how advanced it is.
JOOTRH has been in the lead in the fight against cancer and has put forward relentless efforts in reducing the menace within the region and beyond. This includes both children and adults who seek assistance from the hospital. Some of the treatments of cancer at JOOTRH include surgery where the cancerous cells or tumors are removed, chemotherapy where medical drugs are used to kill cancer cells, and there is radiotherapy where radiant energy is used to kill cancer cells.
The JOOTRH medical team led by Dr Muchela Maureen and Dr Ogolla, showed the team around Obama Children’s Hospital cancer ward and together the team encouraged the children and their parents through an interactive session. They managed to have a physical interaction with three cancer children who were admitted to Obama. They could ask the children their names to test whether they were responding. They also managed to talk to the mothers of the children and told them to have faith because their children will get well soon. The Lions team promised to work in continuous partnership with JOOTRH to diligently serve citizens as per the Lions Club International motto of ‘we serve’.
