Santa spreads the cheer among children admitted at PGI

Gagandeep is a two-and-a-half-year-old suffering from leukemia and was diagnosed with the disease around six months ago. He happens to be the youngest patient at the Advanced Paediatric Centre APC, PGI, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

There are as many as 30 children in the APC in the age group of 2 and 14 years who are being treated for cancer. Friday turned out to be special for them as Santa Claus came visiting. The function was organised by the Canara Bank Employees Union, where the staff, dressed as Santa distributed gifts among children. The festive look at the APC for the Christmas celebration brought them much the needed relief as they forgot their pain and sang and danced with the people.

Rakhi, a five-year-old, who suffers from a hole in the heart, too enjoyed the celebrations.

8220;When I was told that my boy is suffering from blood cancer, I was scared. We rushed him to the hospital to get our child treated at an early stage and are happy to see improvement in him now. Today, I came to know that there are many parents like us who are facing the same problem,8221; said Beant Kaur, father of a child admitted in the PGI.

Anil Kumar Sood, State Secretary of the Union said: 8220;We go to different institutes every year to help the needy. Spending time with these children is an enriching experience. Their innocence and zest for life gives hope to all of us.8221;