Oh Happee Day! Help Children with Cancer, and Others with Disabilities

Mother, Inc. is helping the Children's Cancer Foundation organise a mini-carnival on 31st October at HortPark. Happee Day is a chance for some 30 children with cancer to come out and enjoy themselves, to have a day of fun in the sun. There will be mascots, balloon sculptors, face painting, magic shows, and a truckload of balloons. It may only be for a day, but what a difference a day can make, especially when suffering countless injections, chemotherapy, puking and mood swings.

Cancer in children is something no parent should ever have to bear. I know of some parents who went through this. It's heart-wrenching. All we can do is make our little ones as happy as they can be, no matter how short their time on earth is. To let them know there are people who care about them and are cheering them on.

You can help by being there, or by donating, if you are unable to go. See details (and CCF donation link) here. All proceeds go directly to the CCF for subsidising treatment and daily expenses for the children, and not the running of the event which rides on sponsorships and other personal donations.

I am going to try to be there, and bring Nadine and Jolie. Fortunately, it doesn't clash with the Special Olympics Family Day on 30th October!

I do strongly believe social integration in whatever small form helps children with conditions that hinder their full interaction in society. Not just for kids with cancer, but those with disabilities as well.


Last year, Hill & Knowlton organised a "Green Day" outing at the Botanical Gardens for kids from Rainbow Centre. They really had fun with the "Amazing Race" style friendly competition, dashing from one zone to the other, while experiencing nature.

Nadine got to go too. She naturally had a blast, having the huge gardens to roam around, and so many friends to play with!


We were all stunned to learn from the special school that this kind of company activity was a very rare occurrence - companies volunteering their time. They were very appreciative.


Later on, during the Chinese New Year period this year, I was heartened to see staff from Barclays Bank volunteering to spend time with the little ones from Rainbow Centre. They set up a mini-carnival too, with little activity stations. They helped the kids make lanterns using angpow paper, they put up pussy willow trees for kids to hang those lanterns and also played "match the candy" games. Of course there were lots of treats and snacks for the kids too.




So if you or your company are looking for some meaningful team-building activity, why not spend a day with these kids? They might just brighten up your day as much as you'll brighten up theirs.

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