Cancer centre opens 11th summer camp for young patients

AMMAN — Cancer patient Nour said she is extremely happy now that she feels strong enough to play all the games she likes after receiving treatment at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC).

The eight-year-old shared her story on Wednesday at the launch of the centre’s 11th annual summer camp for young cancer patients.

Nour’s journey with cancer began when she complained about a severe stomachache over a year ago and was diagnosed with leukaemia after medical examinations. 

Since then, she has been receiving medical treatment at the KHCC and showing signs of improvement.

Nour said her blood haemoglobin count increased from 7 to 13 after starting treatment.

“When I grow up I want to become a jet pilot,” she told the audience at the event, which included a number of musical and dance performances.

Dozens of children will be engaged in the monthlong camp that includes games, theatrical shows, face painting activities and trips.

The camp is sponsored by the Cairo Amman Bank (CAB) for the eighth year in a row. 

HH Princess Dina Mired, director general of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, highlighted the importance of the summer camp for the children.

“The summer camp is part of the comprehensive care programme that the centre provides to the patients,” she said at the launch, adding that the camp encourages the young patients to live their lives normally despite the disease and delights parents when they see their children happy.

The princess highlighted the role of sponsors in “supporting the children’s smiles”, noting that CAB’s donations to the centre during the past eight years amounted to JD200,000.

Around 100 patients participate in the KHCC summer camp activities.