Paediatric ward’s unit gets facelift in honour of Chiara

It was a heart-moving moment during the opening of one of the paediatric oncology units at the Netcare Clinton Hospital on May 17 when a room was given a facelift in honour of Chiara Valle, who died at age three after being diagnosed with a rare cancer.

Chiara, who was diagnosed at age two with a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, was remembered on the day. It was pointed out that the establishment of Cupcakes of Hope was inspired by Chiara.

To pay tribute, attendees gathered to welcome a facelift at one of the paediatric oncology units in remembrance of her life’s journey.

According to Irene Kyriacay, who facilitated the project, the aim of the facelift was to help change the ward to become the happiest space for little ones.

“Dr Tanya wanted the unit to look like a magical forest and have the children feel they have escaped to somewhere beautiful. We put up motivational words on the walls to encourage children and mothers to visit the unit. We also built mattresses into the wall for parents in case they would want to sleep there,” she said.

An emotional Dr Tanya Schickerling thanked the support received from Cupcakes of Hope and said she was grateful for putting up Chiara’s name at the newly revamped unit.

“Putting up her name on the board will help remind us every day that the ending might not be what we have in mind, but the journey is what is important. I’m really grateful to everyone who made a difference in this project, and this will make our patients’ parents even happier,” she said.

Natalie Beveridge of Cupcakes of Hope, a mother who also lost her child to cancer, described Chiara as a happy child whose affection rubbed off on people.

Chiara’s mother, Nadine Valle, said she appreciated the makeover and the significance of the momentous event.

“Seeing what these people have done in remembrance of my daughter and the support they offered us throughout this journey means a lot. We are grateful that we could be involved in people’s lives through our daughter. We hope children and parents will enjoy the comfort of this unit through their journey,” she said.

She also told the RECORD this journey has strengthened her faith in God.

Special thanks to sponsors:

• Marble and Saint restaurant – wallpaper and furniture plus appliances and activities
• Blind Rage – window blind and parent mattresses
• Pure – bookshelf and play wall
• Handmade Projects- kitchenette and painting
• Marble – iPads x2
• Minestar- iPads x2
• Mugg & Bean – all the snacks and coffee for the opening
• SPAR – Tea, coffee milk sugar and groceries for the ward