• Home

Cartoon characters tug at heartstrings of sick children

DUBAI - Gliding across the common room with their life-care machines tagging behind, the pale children at the Thalassaemia Ward at Al Wasl Hospital are now almost used to the sharp prick of the IV Canula (needle) that links them to their lifeline - the blood bag.

Sunday was like any normal day at the Thalassaemia Ward at Al Wasl Hospital. Children, from all age groups had arrived at the hospital since morning with their parents to get their blood transfusion (done every 21 days), without which they cannot survive, as well as have their haemoglobin tested. But as a surprise for the kids, the Dubai Summer Surprises 2003, the Cartoon Surprises Organising Committee - supported by Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) - had other plans in store.

The children stopped their activities midway when life-sized Captain Hamad, LaLa, Tinky Winky (Teletubbies), Bart Simpson and several other cartoon characters made an entry into the room. For a moment, the pale faces were emotionless... Seconds later, they registered surprise when recognition flowed in. Several children rushed forward to meet their favourite cartoon characters, while some hid behind their mothers, most probably shocked to see larger-than-life 'walking and talking' cartoons so close at hand.

Visiting hospitals on Sunday was part of their campaign to bring smiles to the face of the sick children during DSS. Two Cartoon Surprises Committees, along with cartoon characters, visited children suffering from cancer at Dubai Hospital and children suffering from Thalassaemia at Al Wasl Hospital.

The committees were headed by Deema Hussein, Head of the Exhibitions and Promotions and Head of Organising Committee (Cartoon Surprises), and Ahmed Al Jaziri, deputy head of the Cartoon Surprises Committee and Exhibitions Coordinator at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), respectively.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mr Jaziri said that the whole exercise was meant to support the ailing kids and allow them to participate in the colourful activities going on around the city. "The hospital tour with the cartoon characters will, I am sure, brighten the day for the sick children," he added.

Later, the mood was all set for the party. The children had loads of fun with the cartoon characters who danced to soft, lilting music that was playing in the background. Yes indeed, the 'Cartoon Surprises' did make the day for the sick children who could have otherwise missed out on the DSS fun.

• UAE