The cover of Em Ước Mong Sao (I Wish). — Photo vietnamplus.vn
HÀ NỘI — The stories of children with cancer or whose parents are suffering from the disease are being told via a bilingual book released by Network For Children with Cancer in Hà Nội.
Entitled Em Ước Mong Sao (I Wish), the book conveys the honest and innocent confessions of children who bravely face cancer or who have overcome the disadvantages of having parents with cancer. Most names in the book have been abbreviated to hide their identities.
The young patients can talk freely about their feelings in the small book, like Trần Thị Bảo Y, Nhật Phúc or Bùi Minh Đ.
“For me, cancer was like a storm raging on in my body. Each time the chemotherapy made me tired or when I went to the ICU, it felt like my soul was thrown into terrible thunders and whirlwinds. It makes me weak and sad. If only the storm could be calmer, becoming a momentary light rain, that would be wonderful. If so, my body would be refreshed and calm, and my soul would become a peaceful garden in spring, with blooming flowers and chirping birds,” Y writes.
“There were times, I imagined ‘cancer’ was rampaging through my body, like a black leopard sprinting at top speed to catch its prey. That feeling was especially clear when receiving the ‘me-tho’ medicine. It was like a black leopard that was clawing at my tummy and legs. It was painful and I felt like my body was burning up. During those times, I wished that there was a tiger so big and strong in me, whose roar would chase the leopard far away,” Nhật Phúc wrote.
Young writers also share their stories and feelings about their grandparents, parents, siblings, doctors, or best friends. All of them are filled with innocence, love and gratitude, from which they have cherished beautiful dreams.
“The more I grow up, the more I feel sorry for my older brother. Sometimes, I feel guilty. Our family wants to save money so that I could go to the hospital, so he has to suffer. I know he really wants to celebrate his birthday, too, but he knows that our family is poor, so he never demands anything from mom.
“I wish that one day, mom and dad would have enough money to celebrate my brother’s birthday. Surely, he would be very happy,” wrote Đào Duy Kh.
Or to Vũ Hà L, whose father is a leukaemia patient at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, who wishes his dad is treated soon so that things can go back to normal again, and that she could do something to support her parents.
Hoàng Thị Diệu Thuần, founder of the Network For Cancer Children, with a child with cancer. — Photo phunuvietnam.vn
Their confessions were noted down by Hoàng Thị Diệu Thuần, the founder of the Network For Cancer Children, during volunteer work that she began in 2016. She herself is a cancer survivor, having been treated for leukaemia at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion when she was 17 years old, so she has much sympathy for the children.
Through the weekly activities of the network at the institute, she has many opportunities to talk and listen to the stories of the little patients. After receiving the consent of the children and their families, Thuần and the Network for Children with Cancer decided to compile I Wish.
“I love the projects, I love the work that I do with children, who are affected by cancer. There, I met their brighter smiles.
"I also have a wish, which is to have more and more warm rays of sunshine accompany me and the children who are affected by cancer."
"Are you willing to be a ray of sunshine with me?” Thuần wrote.
All book sales will be donated to support cancer patients. — VNS
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