KHCC celebrates its 1,000th pediatric cancer survivor

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF), the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) organized a big celebrating ceremony at the Cultural Palace of Al-Hussein Youth City to celebrate and honor 1000 pediatric cancer survivors. The ceremony was attended by HRH Princess Dina Mired, KHCF Director General, and a number of Excellencies and distinguished guests.

During the ceremony, Princess Ghida Talal welcomed the guests and congratulated the parents for their children’s survival. Her Highness said: “All the wonderful survivors who are with us today have proven that cancer does not have to mean the end. They have defied the disease and defeated it, and they stand tall amongst all of us – beautiful children of all ages. And everything that we do and work for at KHCF and KHCC is all geared towards one goal which is to help young children afflicted with cancer to defeat it, by providing them with the best treatment available and trying to the best of our abilities to alleviate their suffering.” Her Highness also thanked all doctors and nurses at KHCC who have worked day and night to ensure that each and every cancer patient receive the best comprehensive treatment available at KHCC.

On the other hand, Dr. Mahmoud Sarhan, KHCC Director General, thanked their Royal Highnesses Princess Ghida Talal and Princess Dina Mired for their continuous support to KHCC, and also thanked KHCF for providing the needed funds to support KHCC in achieving its goals, and for covering the high costs of under-privileged patients at KHCC.

Dr. Sarhan clarified that KHCC has accomplished all efforts to meet the international healthcare standards applied by reputable cancer centers worldwide, and to provide the best medical diagnostic and treatment equipment along with comprehensive care for cancer patients.

From her side, Dr. Maha Arnaout, President of the organizing committee for the celebration, Pediatric Oncologist, and Pain Management and Palliative Care Specialist at KHCC, said that this celebration is dedicated to the children who have gone through a long treatment journey and have cured, most of them are still students and are leading normal lives, while others have started their own families.

According to Dr. Arnaout, children cancers account for 10% among all cancers, and 300 children below the age of 18 are diagnosed with cancer every year, 30% Leukemia, followed by 19% for brain tumors and 12% for Lymphomas, followed by the different types of solid tumors.

Gladly, the overall cure rate for all cancers among children is 75% due to the magnificent developments that have occurred on pediatric cancer treatment, specifically the cancer care provided by integrated medical teams that include doctors, nurses, psychological counselors, pharmacists and nutritionists, all working together to offer cancer patients a comprehensive treatment for both body and soul.

Dr. Arnaout assured that KHCC had paid special attention to pediatric cancer patients through developing various programs that offer them psychological and emotional support, and provides them with a healthy environment to perform their activities and hobbies under close medical supervision. Moreover, a group of social workers along with volunteers spend long times with children at the KHCC playroom and in their rooms and the outpatient clinics where children are surrounded with love and care wherever they are.

The ceremony included several performances to entertain the children and put a smile on their faces. These performances included: artist Makadi Nahas, Zaha Cultural Center team, the National Music Conservatory, the Jitanay Band, Raneen Institute, writer Taghreed Al Najjar, Ms. Rabeah Al Naser, artist Buthaina Abu Al Bandoura, artist Iyad Kanan, and representatives from the General Directorate of Jordan Civil Defense, and the Public Security Directorate.