The holiday season can be a bittersweet time for teen cancer patients, often overlooked during the festivities surrounding younger children. Recognising this unique need, the Rainbows and Smiles organisation brought joy to these young warriors battling life-threatening illnesses in adult hospital wards.
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 January 2025) – Every year in South Africa, almost 1,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. Often, the teenagers are “forgotten” as younger children get spoilt with parties and spoils during the holiday season.
Remembering these young warriors, who also deserve a lot of attention, love, and care during their difficult battles with dread diseases, were the kind members of the Rainbows and Smiles non-profit organisation.
Rainbows and Smiles is a community-based, charitable foundation dedicated to providing emotional, social and financial support to children diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness and their families and caregivers.
During December, a team paid a visit to the teenagers in adult cancer hospital wards to bring some joy to some really sad patients.
“For many of them, it’s a lonely few months in the hospital, far away from family.
“A nurse took us round to each child (because teenagers are still children at heart!) and she insisted on being the photographer for us,” the charity said in a post.
The special visit no doubt offered a much-needed distraction from these teens’ medical challenges. The smiles on their faces were priceless as they got to enjoy being the centre of attention for a change and enjoyed the story behind the advent calendar.
The day ended with some sweet treats and toys to see these brave boys and girls through their long days and nights in hospital, tirelessly fighting to heal and return home.
Sources: Rainbows and Smiles
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