For most people, dealing with a positive cancer diagnosis means entering a stage of questions, doubts, concern, and also fear. Not only on the part of the patient, but also on the part of his family and close people.
Cancer is a curable disease if it is detected in time, however, the emotional traces it can leave could be even deeper than the physical ones, if effective support, communication and accompaniment work is not carried out.
Thus, thinking about the patients and also their families, Silvia Miro Quesadaa journalist by profession and a two-time cancer survivor, created ‘A few days with Bobby’a cordial and well-crafted initiative that seeks to make everyone, young and old, understand the process of fighting cancer, providing knowledge, understanding and tolerance, all within a framework of faith, hope, and above all warmth.
“I was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was 37 years old, and my son was 7. At first there were many doubts and fears—as most diagnosed people feel—but surprisingly, and in an almost magical way, ‘Bobby’ arrived, who helped me a lot personally and made my family understand that when things are going well we should be happy, but when things go bad, we should learn to fight with joy and enthusiasm.”says Silvia.
‘Bobby’ is a fictional character, created at that time to make a child understand that the use of medications and even the stay of patients in a hospital are tolerable and even good things, since they heal our loved ones and can make them return home after overcoming their illness.
“One day, upon seeing me connected to the serum, my son asked what was that? and I answered that it was a little dog, called ‘Bobby’, who fed me through his little tail. “I take care of him, and he takes care of me,” I told him, and thus ‘Bobby’ became our companion, our friend, and our ally.”quotes Silvia.
That time, after beating the disease, Silvia returned home with her little one, but they no longer returned alone, ‘Bobby’ It was already with them, and they both wanted to share it with the world and help more people like it helped them in somewhat difficult times.
An idea, an initiative
Thus, the imaginary friend of a 7-year-old boy became quite an adventure. In 2020, ‘A few days with Bobby’ was founded, which is a space for emotional support for patients, families, caregivers and health personnel, who through stories, stories, campaigns, and even a doll ‘Bobby’ Physically, they promote better physical and mental care for everyone who is involved with cancer in Peru.
“For children ‘Bobby’ is a companion in the hospital, for families it is a bridge to talk about pain and hope, and for health personnel it is a tool to humanize the entire struggle process. ‘Bobby’ is a comprehensive initiative that takes various approaches to help people, it is a gift in the midst of sadness and questions”Silvia notes.
‘A few days with Bobby’ It is a social program that already has three books, which visits schools, hospitals and families, traveling throughout Peru in campaigns full of joy and well-being. In the midst of a complicated panorama for patients and their families, ‘Bobby’ It comes to deliver knowledge and encouragement, which is what is most needed in those cases.
In addition to these visits, the initiative also promotes early cancer prevention campaigns, preventive examinations, and manages public policies with participation, for example in the ‘Oncology Traffic Light’also monitoring the progress of the National Cancer Lawin order to guarantee accessible and timely treatments for all.
In this way, the doll ‘Bobby’ He will continue climbing on IV poles in hospitals, accompanying patients in their fight and serving as company for them and their loved ones.
“The articulated ‘Bobby’ is a doll, it is a stuffed animal, it is a bag that covers the serums, it is something that brings us closer to medical treatments so that we stop fearing them and looking askance at them, ‘Bobby’ teaches us that medicine is good and that it saves, it teaches us to believe and put up a firm fight, but above all it teaches us that we are not alone.”Silvia concludes.
Data:
- The last presentation of ‘A few days with Bobby’ It was at the I International Congress of Surgical Oncology, which brought together renowned national and international doctors and specialists in Cusco. There we were able to interview Silvia Miró Quesada.
- To have more information about ‘A few days with Bobby’ and get their help, you can access the organization through Instagram: @unos_dias_con_Bobby, Facebook: @unos dias con Bobby or through your Web page.
