In a heartwarming act of compassion, a 4.5-year-old inspired his kindergarten classmates to support the pediatric division where he is receiving cancer treatment at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel. This initiative, born from the collaboration between Rani’s family and community, resulted in a donation for children in isolation after bone marrow transplants.
The photo kits from the students at Admonit to Rambam. ( L-R): Nurse Yana Diamond and Dr. Roni Gefen, from the Reiner Shudi Bone Marrow Transplant Unit; Rani's mother Dana Eden-Shahouri with Rani, and teacher Or Laredo-Maman. Photography: Rambam HCC
Eight months ago, Rani Eden-Shahouri from Pardes Hanna-Karkur was diagnosed with cancer and began intensive treatment in Rambam’s The Joan and Sanford Weil Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital. The hospital quickly became a second home for Rani and his family, who wanted to express their gratitude to the medical team.
In the Admonit kindergarten where Rani started the school year, the teachers wanted his classmates to learn about values of giving and mutual support. The two ideas crossed paths and became one project focused on the hospitalized children in Rani’s division. “Rani started his fight with the disease right at the beginning of the year and did not return to class, but remained an integral part of the kindergarten group,” said Or Laredo-Maman, Rani's kindergarten teacher. She goes on to explain that Rani’s classmates also wanted to do something. “After discussions and consultations with the family and Rambam, we came upon a useful idea.” The class and parents raised funds through a café set up by the children, enabling the donation of several Polaroid cameras for the pediatric division.
These cameras will help children in isolation at Rambam document their experiences, express their feelings, and manage their treatment journeys – a kind of therapeutic travel diary of their experience. Shifra Yonatanov, deputy director of nursing in the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, explained, “Due to the treatments that Rani is receiving, his immune system is very weak. He, like many other of our patients, needs to be protected from infections. Many times, our patients have to go into isolation.”
The kindergarten’s efforts ensured that Rani remained a part of their daily activities, sending him pictures and videos, and keeping in touch. “The children wanted to something for Rani and were a driving force in the initiative,” said Laredo-Maman. “We had no doubt that Rani and his battle would be an integral part of our daily kindergarten routine, and we worked to keep him as part of the group.”
Rani’s mother, Dana Eden-Shahouri, expressed her gratitude saying, “Here, in the division, the gifts Rani receives help him to deal with painful processes and long hours of treatment. This was also a very good opportunity to teach him how to give to someone else. He did so with great joy and ease.” Rani concluded with a shy smile, "It's fun to give to other children.”
This project underscores the power of community and the impact of small acts of kindness. Rambam is grateful for the generosity and support shown by Rani, his family and classmates, and the entire community.
Comments