World Child Cancer shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Every child deserves the chance to just be a child.
This International Day of Play, the theme Protect Play, Protect Childhood reminds us that play is far more than fun, it’s an essential part of every child’s development and wellbeing.
For children facing cancer treatment, hospital stays can feel overwhelming and isolating. But through play, children can find moments of joy and normality.
At Kanti Children’s Hospital in Nepal, three-year-old Yuna loves colouring and pretending to be a doctor, carefully recreating the procedures she sees around her. At B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMH), eleven-year-old Babu enjoys playing football with his father and dreams of becoming a doctor himself. Four-year-old Sanu spends time with toy aeroplanes and cooking games and expressing her creativity.
These moments are made possible through the support of Family Support Officers like Prerana Shakya, who encourage children to play and connect with others throughout their treatment journey. They remind them that they are more than patients – they are children, with dreams, imaginations and the right to simply be kids.
Through our transformative collaboration with Amgen (Sean Lybrand, Philip Anderson), World Child Cancer has been able to support essential roles like Prerana’s in Nepal, ensuring that children and families facing cancer receive the holistic care they need and that no family faces their cancer journey alone.
This International Day of Play, we’re celebrating the power of play to protect childhood, even in the most challenging circumstances.”
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