Foundation helps bring focus on cancer among children |22 November 2012

The decision for the CCA to do so follows a meeting its officials had at State House yesterday with First Lady Natalie Michel, who is also the chairperson of the Seychelles Children’s Foundation.

The association’s chairperson Bishop French Chang-Him and its secretary Josie Michaud-Payet said this to Nation in an interview, saying the support Mrs Michel is giving to the CCA and her concern for children who are either at the risk or are affected by the disease will help the CCA to focus on children.

The officials’ meeting with Mrs Michel was part of discussions she initiated that has so far seen her meet Bishop Chang-Him and Mrs Michaud-Payet.

Yesterday’s meeting for the first time included other CCA officials: Marie-Paule Rose, Maggie Bristol and Milka Emilien.

The association’s officials said they wish to have closer collaboration with the foundation, adding:

“The First Lady has expressed her wish to help children in areas related to cancer because we know there are children affected by the condition but we do not know how they cope but through the foundation’s ‘A Friend in me programme’ we can get help for the association whose theme is You never have to be alone,” they told Nation.

The CCA members urged people who think they need advice on issues related to cancer to feel free to call the organisation’s helpline through telephone number 2522440.

The discussions furthered the foundation’s goal of reaching out particularly to children needing special attention.

The ‘A Friend in me programme’ was initiated and launched by Mrs Michel in December 2011 at the children’s ward of the Seychelles Hospital.

As a follow-up to the first series of discussions, Mrs Michel recently met Health Minister Mitcy Larue and principal secretary for health Veronique Laporte to put forth the association’s concerns. The issues and recommendations have been well received by the ministry and some have already been implemented. For example, two liaison persons from the ministry have already been nominated for the association and will hopefully strengthen the working-together approach to complement the role of both parties at different levels.

The ongoing discussions will allow Mrs Michel to get acquainted with the association’s challenges and areas of concern so that she may offer needs-based support. The support will involve engaging partners to help the CCA in the important work.