Reading offers cancer patients an escape
DKMS Africa hosted read-and-play events on Tuesday April 4 at Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC) home-away-from-home accommodation facilities around the country to commemorate International Children’s Book Day.
A reading session was held at CHOC in Plumstead with popular hip hop group, Driemanskaap, giving out care packs to the children.
Shudufhadzo Musida and Tumi Sole, founder of the #CountryDuty social movement, were among the personalities around the country that all took time out of their days to read to the children living at these homes, giving the patients a temporary respite from their daily fight.
“Every year, over 460 South African children are diagnosed with blood cancer. As these kids spend a great deal of time in and out of hospital while dealing with this disease, they tend to feel isolated and also experience academic difficulties as a consequence of missing school,” said Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement and communications at DKMS Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
“But reading books can provide them with an escape from days packed with medical treatments and doctors’ appointments while also equipping them with learning experiences that can be enjoyed anywhere – from their hospital beds and homes, to their classrooms.”
CHOC Western Cape and Namakwa regional manager, Lynette Muthuray, said: “We are very happy to have commemorated International Children’s Book Day along with DKMS Africa. When children face this difficult journey, reading can take them to countries and places they've never been before, even while they’re in hospital oncology wards.”
The Driemanskap collective added: “Blood cancer may weaken the body, but it will never weaken the spirit and determination of those who fight against it.”
Anyone between the ages of 17 and 55 years old, who are in general good health, are encouraged to register to become blood stem cell donors at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now. Registration is completely free and takes less than five minutes to complete.
