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Children with cancer spend fun day out with friends, parents
ANYWHERE WILL DO: In this file photo, a tutor named Ade reads a children’s book to a cancer patient at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital in Central Jakarta
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ANYWHERE WILL DO: In this file photo, a tutor named Ade reads a children’s book to a cancer patient at Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital in Central Jakarta. Several hospitals in the capital provide bedside schooling for children undergoing long-term treatment for cancer.
For the first time in a while, dozens of children diagnosed with cancer were able to savor their day amid fresh air and trees -- this time, accompanied by other children and musicians from their favorite bands.
When nine-year-old Harris, diagnosed three years ago with leukemia, was asked if he felt tired after attending a group session on the basics of photography, he quickly shook his head.
"I am happy," he said, behind a mask worn to reduce the risk of infection.
"Outdoor activities like this are such a rare opportunity for him. I am happy that he is happy," said Harris' father, Ronny Sumarji, who operates a staple foods shop in Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta.
Harris, a fourth-grader, said he had been visiting the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta every week prior to the event for medical treatment.
Some 70 child cancer patients, from three major hospitals in Jakarta -- RSCM, Darmais and Fatmawati -- enjoyed the one-day outing at the International Sports Club of Indonesia in Ciputat, South Jakarta.
Joining them were some 50 children from three orphanages as well as students from Ora Et Labora, a private school in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang.
Children with cancer between the ages of four and 12, along with their parents and the orphans were invited free of charge, while private school students paid Rp 100,000 per person to participate in the event.
Among the many volunteers assisting them in photography and comic drawing lessons were members of local music groups Nidji, Letto and D'Masiv.
"The most important thing healthy people can do for cancer patients is to lend them a little living spirit," said Muhammad Ramadhista, the 24-year-old guitarist for Nidji.
"Even the simplest gesture, like having a light chat, will mean a lot to these children," he added.
"We want to show people that having cancer does not make these kids any different from healthy children. They, too, want to play and have fun," Ira Soelistyo, founder of the Indonesian Care for Cancer Kids Foundation (YKAKI), said Tuesday.
"Instead of turning them into a passive audience, we let the children play with each other and with members of their favorite bands," she added.
The organizer of the photography and comic drawing adventure, Retno Palupi A. Noya, added, "We want to let the public know that children with cancer are creative and productive."
Photos and comics produced by the children will be publicly exhibited at malls across Jakarta, added Palupi, who also goes by the name "Uppie".
Ratna Kristiani, a parent of a participating Ora Et Labora student, said she supported the event.
"It's a great way for healthy children to learn how to show compassion for others. I hope other schools will participate in the future."
"My son's grandfather has been diagnosed with colon cancer. It's been proven that support from the people around him is the most important thing to help him survive," Ratna said, emphasizing the contrast between such support and the indifference that many feel toward cancer patients.
