Cub Scouts Help Cancer Children and Their Families
We heard that the Kids Cancer Support Group were needing food to stock their pantry on the Oncology Ward at the Children's Hospital. We researched the organisation and learnt about all the amazing ways they support the children undergoing treatment for cancer and their families and decided to run a food drive to donate
We learnt about both the physical and mental benefits that people that live in hospital to receive treatment gain from receiving a donation from the community, whether that be to choose a toy from the toy trolley or take five minutes to themselves to make a quick hot meal - these donations mean that the recipients get to have some choice at a time when most choices feel removed from them. It also enables them to feel connected to people outside the hospital, that others are caring for them.
We have read comments from parents that have had children be inpatients receiving treatment for cancer, they have stated just what a difference it makes to be able to leave their child's room briefly to get something to eat, or to see their sick child's face light up with a new toy. They feel the connection with the community even though they can not leave the hospital. They feel that they are seen and heard - and loved.
That people are willing to give to organisations like the Kids Cancer Community Group, and just need to be prompted to do so. We started by asking the families within our Unit to donate and then went wider and raised awareness of this organisation within our Scout Group. The result was an outpouring of food and toy items for us to donate to this organisation. We also learnt that it feels great to help other people.
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