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The passage of the orthopaedic Ward G6 at Tygerberg Hospital where children who suffer from cancer stay pre- and post-operation may not be warm, colourful, and welcoming, but thanks to the generosity of one non-profit organisation, at least one of the rooms in the ward now feel inviting.
What was once just a dark and gloomy room with two or more hospital beds and cribs inside it, has now been transformed into a colourful and bright playroom where children, who often stay between one week and a month, can play and just be themselves.
The grey walls have been replaced with a bright blue coat of paint, with white clouds and a chalk board and bookshelf have been installed along with a couch, table and chairs.
Books and toys have also been donated.
All hands on deck
The room was revamped over several weekends, by hard-working and committed volunteers of The Lions Club of Tokai, something for which Anthea-Lynn Lewis from the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and TLC coordinator in the Western Cape, is exceptionally grateful. The Lions approached her as they wanted to do something for the children, she says.
The children had no playroom prior to the revamped room.
Lewis works with children and teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer and says play therapists from overseas make use of the ward during their practical training.
“The Lions Club approached Cansa and said they want to do something for our organisation, and I brought them to Ward 6 as this is where some of our patients are treated. I see how the children have to stay in bed. Play can allow them to be children again, away from the treatment,” says Lewis.
The room was also first used as a classroom. The next phase is to revamp the entrance of the ward.
“If it was not for The Lions Club, we will not have had this project and we would not have had the privilege to allow the children to come to the room where they can perform their play therapy.
“It is important to bring back the element of just being a child, being away from the treatment and the diagnosis and social circumstances of some of the children who come from far and whose parents cannot always be here 24/7. It is important to allow children just to be children,” says Lewis.
Charles Flanagan, The Lions Club of Tokai former district governor, says childhood cancer is one of the core pillars of service in Lions International.
“As Lions we work with various cancer organisations. The need for a space for the children to be in, where they can actually just escape for a little while and play and be cheerful is definitely going to contribute to their mental wellbeing.
“When we are happy and not in a state of fear and worry, that also helps with our wellbeing,” he says.
Lewis says they need the support and that The Lions Club have been supporting Cansa for a long time.
Money was raised for the project, but some people also donated items such as the chalk board, paint, couch, table, and chairs.
“Fundamentally this room had to be prepared from scratch, and a lot of preparation work was done before we even started with the project,” says Flanagan.
Hard work pays off
Gail Darling, Lions member, helped with the revamp.
“We wanted somewhere where they could play. Because the children cannot go outside, we brought the outside into their space. It was hard work, we discovered muscles we did not even know we have.
“The money was raised with the collaboration with the Cape Town City Ballet, the Artscape Theatre Centre and a lot of private donations from family and friends overseas,” says Darling.
The teams spent up for four weekends revamping the room. “We were blessed, and it means a great deal to them,” says Darling.
The plans are to replenish some of the toys as time goes on and to visit the room once a month. Darling also says that the public is welcome to donate toys and other items to the room if they wish to do so.
The gesture was welcomed by the hospital and dr Mari Thiart, head of the paediatric unit.
“It is very exciting. The room is vibrant, and lively and full of colour, you are almost instantly uplifted. I think for the kids who are going to use the playroom it is going to uplift their mood, and it will take them away from the fact they are admitted in a very cold clinical place that a hospital can be.
“I think the room is a reminder of childhood and play and how important play is, and I think it is going to give them a distraction from the fact that they are admitted at hospital and given medication regularly.”
Choc grateful for support
Lynette Muthuray, regional manager of the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (Choc) Western Cape, says children who suffer from cancer spend a lot of their time in a clinical ward and that at times these wards are not very child-friendly.
“If there is a space where a child can play and interact with other children and break away from their clinical routine, it is very good for them and good for their development.
She says a play area is good for their cognitive development, and good for them mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
Muthuray says the support of NPOs is also important. “I think everybody can make a difference,” she says.
Thiart says the revamp of the reception area will also be welcomed.
Those who wish to help can email gaildarling22261@gmail.com or visit Tygerberg Hospital.
