Health for 34,000 low-income children in Colombia

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630 children die of victims cancer in Colombia every year. Most children with cancer treated at St. Vincent Children's Hospital Foundation in Medellin, Colombia, are from low-income families. In the Hospital they find medical treatment with specialists, social workers to support them in the psychological process and loving hearts willing to serve the patient and family in difficult times of illness.

Testimony child with cancer:

"In my family we are four. I am displaced by violence".

"I am 15 years old, at age 14 they discovered the cancer, I was immediately transported to San Vicente, doctors have been very supportive. Sometimes we did not have the money to go to the hospital for treatment, then at the Hospital they give us the money for transportation. So I thank the doctors and all the people of San Vicente".

"I am currently in grade 6, I could not study because of the disease, the cancer problem was very hard for me."

"My dream are to finish the studies and study political science, and help my parents if they ever get ill, fight for them and have a good future."

Links:

• Testimony child with cancer

Juan Pablo was born at 32 weeks gestation with a congenital malformation, the baby arrived at Hospital Infantil de San Vicente Fundación with a complete obstruction of the intestine that hinders the passage of food and absorption of nutrients, also had an infection that compromised his life.

Although Juan's mother understood he had to adapt to a hospital environment, she wanted to bring a bit of the world that her baby should have been enjoying, adapting with multiple colors and textures the hospital room now become her son’s home.

Juan underwent 15 operations and when he fell asleep, his mother stood firm and powerful drawing streght from where only a mother could have, to be with her child 24 hours a day.

Juan was a long distance son, grandson and brother during his year-long hospitalization and nurses, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, surgeons and nutritionists became his family and his mom¡s, because solidarity and love for the little patient invaded their hearts.

When the time came for him to be released from the hospital, joy and distress were evident, as it had been a year of rigorous care and feeding through a vein. After a challenging year in care of family and the staff of the Children's Hospital outpatient program, Juan managed inch by inch to tolerate food oraly, experiencing flavors and sensations that so far he had not been able to do.

Annually the hospital serves more than 34,000 children like Juan Pablo, with highly complex diseases and this is possible thanks to the generous hearts of Hospital’s staff and volunteers and all our benefactors.