Seoul National University Hospital Prepares Innovative Entertainment for Prized Pediatric Patients on Children's Day Approach
In the heart of Seoul, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) hosted its annual "We Grow Up" event for children battling cancer and rare diseases. This event, organized by the Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project, aimed to bring a touch of joy and normalcy to these young warriors' lives.
Six-year-old So-yoon, who fights against acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was seen enjoying a tablet at her hospital bed, her spirit undeterred. Other attendees included Yeon-woo, an 18-year-old battling acute myeloid leukemia, and her mother, Kim Jung-eun, beaming with hope after the event.
The event featured a host of activities designed to uplift the spirits of the young patients. Caricature artists, balloon artists, and magic shows filled the hospital wards with color and laughter, creating a festive atmosphere far from the sterility of the hospital environment.
As part of its ongoing commitment to pediatric care, SNUH has implemented advanced diagnostics like minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. This highly precise method allows the detection of a single cancer cell among 10,000 normal cells, offering a more accurate diagnosis and improved treatment outcomes.
The Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project has made significant strides since its 2021 launch, thanks to a substantial 300 billion won ($215 million) donation from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s family. In the span of just a few years, the project provided diagnoses to 11,822 children and treatment to 5,512.
Moreover, the project has collaborated with the government to establish a national pediatric cancer care system, aiming to close Korea’s survival rate gap compared to the U.S. by adopting standardized treatment protocols. Success stories like So-yoon's, who improved sufficiently to return to school after diagnosis, further underscore the project's impact.
Looking ahead, the project seeks to address systemic challenges in pediatric care, focusing on personalized treatment and increasingly benchmarking Korea's progress against global standards to achieve global-grade survival rates. With each passing event and medical breakthrough, the future of children battling cancer and rare diseases in the country looks a little brighter.
- Dearly hoping for her recovery, Kim Jung-eun, So-yoon's mother, expressed gratitude for the ongoing medical-conditions research and health-and-wellness support, especially the advancements in leukemia treatments at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH).
- During the annual "We Grow Up" event, a central part of the celebrations was an audio_0 recording of a young patient's heartfelt message about mental-health struggles and resilience in the face of cancer, which moved everyone present to tears.
- So-yoon, undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, dreams of being a science student when she grows up and finds solace in the support and resources available through SNUH and the Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project.
- In the light of these accomplishments, the Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Support Project and SNUH plan to expand their collaborative efforts by incorporating personalized treatment strategies, focusing on comprehensive health and mental health care for children with cancer and other medical-conditions.
- Balancing laughter and learning, the event featured fun activities like caricature artists, balloon artists, and magic shows, but also educational presentations about pediatric care best practices, aiming to empower parents and patients alike in understanding the nuances of their health-and-wellness journeys.
