Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 21
I am Rukh Yusuf,
Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone
Marrow Transplant. I have been working in Pediatric Oncology unit of a public
hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the
real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a
difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children,
some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and
words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and
complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen.
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy
in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”
―
The ribbon is a symbol of
awareness, hope and support. It was originally used in the early
mid-1900s in a United States military marching song. The song “Tie
a Yellow Ribbon”, inspired the wife of a hostage held in Iran from
1979-1981 to use the yellow ribbon to show support for hostages and to remind
others of their service to their country. Later, during the Gulf War the
symbol evolved into a reminder of all men and women serving the country abroad.
After a decade, AIDS activists
turned the yellow ribbon red. From then on every charitable health cause
had one. It became so popular that the New York Times called 1992 “The
Year of the Ribbon.”
Since then,
ribbons have been used for many awareness campaigns. The meaning behind the ribbon depends on its color.
Many causes often share each ribbon color e.g. Red for AIDS, Pearl or White for Lung cancer, Pink
for breast cancer etc.
Gold is a precious material and since children are our most precious treasures, it is a perfect image highlighting the importance of beating childhood cancer. The gold ribbon represents all types of cancer affecting children and adolescents: it is the universal symbol to create awareness about childhood cancer and mobilize increased attention.
Most people know that the pink ribbon symbolizes breast
cancer but unfortunately there isn’t much awareness about the gold ribbon. This
is unfortunate and shows much should be done to bring awareness about childhood
cancer.
Its start of another September and This month is celebrated
as pediatric cancer awareness month that symbolizes golden ribbon.
By raising awareness during September- Childhood Cancer
awareness month, we can really make a difference and help to create a brighter
future for children and adolescents with cancer.
“The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops
doing this, he's dead.”
―
For every accomplishment
there are challenges, efforts and struggle in the presence of resources in the
right direction. The rule applies everywhere and health sector is not an
exception. Treatment outcomes of any disease depends on multiple factors from
trained and qualified human resources to equipments, medications, buildings and
much more.
Pediatric
oncology treatment globally is associated with lot of challenges to handle
including Late diagnosis, Cultural or socioeconomic barriers,
Lack of information at primary care level,
Poor
referral to pediatric oncology units, Deficient healthcare system, Lack of
recognition of existing centers, Lack of pediatric oncology units, Lack of
multidisciplinary approach and Lack of infrastructure. There are many more in a
country like Pakistan including treatment Abandonment, fragmented care,
Cultural barriers, Stigma associated with cancer and most important Financial
limitations.
“A
challenge only becomes an obstacle when you bow to it.” ―
“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is
optional.” ―
Refrences:
https://gboncology.com/blog/origin-of-the-ribbon/
https://siope.eu/curemoreandcurebetter
https://www.acco.org/gold-ribbon-awareness/
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