Paediatric oncology unit welcomed at state-of-the-art hospital

For the first time, an out-patient unit is now dedicated at the newly-built state-of-the-art medical facility, Netcare Alberton Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit.

This was announced during the official opening of Netcare Alberton Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit on April 21.

The personalised unit consists of four beautiful and bright beds to enable four out-patients to be given chemo at the same time.

Those visiting the newly launched unit are greeted by the motto: “In this house we do cancer. We do chemo and sickness. We do tears and we do pain. We worry and we stress. We also hope. We persevere and we pray because in this house we don’t go down without a fight.”

According to Dr Tanya Schickerling, the newly opened unit shouts love, care, amazingness and support.

She said they will now be able to give out-patient treatment in an area that is dedicated only to children.

“Our children were getting treatment at the out-patient area between the adults because there wasn’t a dedicated out-patient unit for children at the previous hospital. We are set up with our pharmacy so that we have one place where it comes from. Everything is happening in one area which makes it so much easier and it’s a happy area,” said Schickerling.

Because children come weekly, she said she wanted to keep things exciting and make the unit colourful and that having a colourful place lifts the children’s mood.

She reiterated that the contribution to the unit shows that people care about children.

The unit’s facelift was made possible by renowned entrepreneur Yaseen Valli of the Trade Route Mall through Cupcakes of HOPE.

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Valli, who also shared about his journey to recovery, generously committed to donating R100 000 more to help create a better and more comfortable space for children.

“It’s not about what it costs, but it’s about what it can create for children. If we can help raise active citizens and can contribute to society, then we don’t have to complain but we can do,” he said.

They also paid tribute to the late Chiara Valle during the occasion by presenting one of the sections which were given a facelift in honour of her.

Chiara was diagnosed at age two with a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma and gained her angel wings just after her third birthday.

Cupcakes of Hope founder Sandy Cipriano said: “We are so pleased that we could honour Chiara like this. And because of her journey with cancer, this initiative started and we have grown. Last month, we were sitting on 224 children that we have assisted financially across the country.”

On the day, cancer survivor Albe Mdhluli, who has also been assisted by Cupcakes of HOPE, shared her story of success and extended her appreciation to the NPO.

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