gives a video game system to Dimiter Dimitriov, a
terminally ill patient. Bottom photo:
Dr. Spassova attends an abandoned Roma baby
who is one of her cancer patients.
There were tears of gratitude as young cancer patients in Plovdiv got a special delivery of medical supplies and toys, thanks to Sofia’s International Women’s Club and an anonymous American donor.
Members of the club visited St George’s Hospital in Plovdiv on April 23 to deliver the goods, worth about 4,600 leva.
The trip was a culmination of old-fashioned volunteer work and philanthropic intrigue.
Responding to an urgent request for equipment used to administer cancer medicines, IWC members went to the hospital for an initial meeting earlier this year. They met with Marion Robertson, chairwoman of The Social Service Organisation, a non-profit body dedicated to helping young cancer patients at the hospital.
The meeting generated great interest in Robertson’s work. A British expatriate, Robertson created the Health and Day Centre at the hospital that supports children and their parents during the lengthy cancer treatment process. The foundation helps children aged 1 to 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer. Forty to 45 newly diagnosed patients participate in the programme each year.
“The Charity Committee was very impressed with the foundation’s organisation and with Ms. Robertson’s work,” said Eileen Regan, incoming president of the IWC, “we wanted to help with the medical supplies but also with the Centre.”
This desire began the next phase of the project, producing mysterious results.
The Centre needed games and puzzles but everyone agreed that a video game system would be tremendously appreciated for the children’s entertainment.
“Some of these children have been here most of their lives,” said Dr. Spassova, an oncologist at the hospital.
“They spend weeks and weeks in the hospital for treatment and a video game system helps pass the time,” said Dr. Spassova.
The IWC soon spread the word within the expat community, asking for used video games and equipment.
Instead, they received a call from a United States embassy officer. He wanted to give $1,000 for them to buy a new video system, assorted video games and a television. The catch was that the donor’s name must remain anonymous.
“I really wish I could tell you who it is,” said Cathy McElhannon, outgoing president of the IWC.
“He called on a Saturday morning to say ‘I just want to give something back to the people of Bulgaria.’ I was so surprised I cried.”
In addition to medical supplies and the video system, the IWC donation included a sewing machine.
“We hope to make new curtains for each room in the ward,” Robertson said.
Between the curtains, the new paint job she recently orchestrated and a proposed outdoor play area, Robertson hopes to make the children and their parents more comfortable during treatment.
The IWC donation was received by Dr. Evgeni Genev, chief of the Children’s Department, Dr. Angelina Stoyanova, assistant chief of the Children’s Department, and Dr. Spassova.
The doctors expressed their gratitude for the medicine and the other items. They explained that this type of work is very difficult especially when the prognosis is terminal. They become quite attached to the children and it is always hard to lose one. Many in the room were crying as Dr. Stoyanova said, “thank you very much, we know that you share our feelings for the children.”
For more information contact Marion Robertson, Chairwoman, The Social Service Organisation, at 032 271 694 or Marion@theanonymous.net.
Contact incoming IWC President Eileen Regan at (02) 576 861 or 088 993 664 for donations to the Charity Committee.
Contact Du Coeur a l’Ouvrage, a humanitarian aid organization run by IWC member Cecile Renou at 088 76 33 49 or renou@mail.office1.bg. Renou’s organisation also recently made a donation to St. George’s Hospital.
Members of the club visited St George’s Hospital in Plovdiv on April 23 to deliver the goods, worth about 4,600 leva.
The trip was a culmination of old-fashioned volunteer work and philanthropic intrigue.
Responding to an urgent request for equipment used to administer cancer medicines, IWC members went to the hospital for an initial meeting earlier this year. They met with Marion Robertson, chairwoman of The Social Service Organisation, a non-profit body dedicated to helping young cancer patients at the hospital.
The meeting generated great interest in Robertson’s work. A British expatriate, Robertson created the Health and Day Centre at the hospital that supports children and their parents during the lengthy cancer treatment process. The foundation helps children aged 1 to 18 who have been diagnosed with cancer. Forty to 45 newly diagnosed patients participate in the programme each year.
“The Charity Committee was very impressed with the foundation’s organisation and with Ms. Robertson’s work,” said Eileen Regan, incoming president of the IWC, “we wanted to help with the medical supplies but also with the Centre.”
This desire began the next phase of the project, producing mysterious results.
The Centre needed games and puzzles but everyone agreed that a video game system would be tremendously appreciated for the children’s entertainment.
“Some of these children have been here most of their lives,” said Dr. Spassova, an oncologist at the hospital.
“They spend weeks and weeks in the hospital for treatment and a video game system helps pass the time,” said Dr. Spassova.
The IWC soon spread the word within the expat community, asking for used video games and equipment.
Instead, they received a call from a United States embassy officer. He wanted to give $1,000 for them to buy a new video system, assorted video games and a television. The catch was that the donor’s name must remain anonymous.
“I really wish I could tell you who it is,” said Cathy McElhannon, outgoing president of the IWC.
“He called on a Saturday morning to say ‘I just want to give something back to the people of Bulgaria.’ I was so surprised I cried.”
In addition to medical supplies and the video system, the IWC donation included a sewing machine.
“We hope to make new curtains for each room in the ward,” Robertson said.
Between the curtains, the new paint job she recently orchestrated and a proposed outdoor play area, Robertson hopes to make the children and their parents more comfortable during treatment.
The IWC donation was received by Dr. Evgeni Genev, chief of the Children’s Department, Dr. Angelina Stoyanova, assistant chief of the Children’s Department, and Dr. Spassova.
The doctors expressed their gratitude for the medicine and the other items. They explained that this type of work is very difficult especially when the prognosis is terminal. They become quite attached to the children and it is always hard to lose one. Many in the room were crying as Dr. Stoyanova said, “thank you very much, we know that you share our feelings for the children.”
For more information contact Marion Robertson, Chairwoman, The Social Service Organisation, at 032 271 694 or Marion@theanonymous.net.
Contact incoming IWC President Eileen Regan at (02) 576 861 or 088 993 664 for donations to the Charity Committee.
Contact Du Coeur a l’Ouvrage, a humanitarian aid organization run by IWC member Cecile Renou at 088 76 33 49 or renou@mail.office1.bg. Renou’s organisation also recently made a donation to St. George’s Hospital.
