As per the action plan for the 2012 budget year, an Ethiopian Christmas party was organized for more than 120 pediatric patients and their families on January 7, 2012 at the Black Lion Hospital. On January 5, 2012 fifty Birr was given to each pediatric patients from MWECS as Ethiopian Christmas gift.
Mr.Wondu Bekele, General Manger of MWECS entertaining the participants.
Dr.Aster Tsegaye Chief Executive Officer of the Black Lion Hospital was Guest of Honor of the program.Dr.Aster Tsegaye donated several kilograms of orange fruits and presented moving and emotional speech to the participants. The guest of honor briefed the participants the on-going efforts to enhance the capacity of the hospital in general and cancer treatment in particular, including increment in budget for cancer medicines. She also reminded the patients and their families could play in improving the standard of the hospital particularly in keeping their rooms and its surroundings areas clean and drastically decreasing the number of visitors which are one the basic requirements to improve the standard of cancer treatment. She also reminded the participants that the hospital was built by the contribution of the Ethiopian people half a century ago and confirmed their indispensable role in renovating and strengthening the hospital facilities. She called upon the Ethiopian people and friends of the hospital worldwide to involve and participate in raising funds to renovate and expand the leading referral and teaching university hospital in Ethiopia.
Thanks to one of MWECS members and faithful supporters, Mr. Samuel Derebew, lunch was served for pediatrics patients and their families.Painiting, questions and answer contests were also held among the children and that created a wonderful festive atmosphere. Different kinds of awards were given to the winners.
Dr.Aster Tsegaye, Chief Excutive Officer of the Black Lion Hospital and Guest of Honor of the program presenting opening remarks and officially opening the party.
Dr.Aster Tsegaye in the centre with the organizers of the party, to her left is Mr.Girma Neway member of Board of Directors of MWECS, to her right is Ms.Amsale Beyene mother of Mathiwos, who lost his life due to leukaemia and our society named after, Betty of Ethiopian Airlines and Dr.Yetenayet Chairperson of Fund Raising and Promotion Committee and member of Board of Directors of MWECS.
Group picture with paediatric patients and their families.
Cancer patients and their families face many challenges that may leave them feeling overwhelmed, afraid and lonely. It is difficult to cope with these challenges or to talk even to the supportive family members and friends. Often support groups like ours can help people affected by cancer to feel less desolate and this can improve their ability to deal with the uncertainties and challenges that cancer brings. In fact, attention to the emotional burden of cancer is sometimes part of a patient's treatment plan.
