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Manas Airmen tend to children's cancer center needs

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Loaded with boxes filled with stuffed animals, snacks and 10 shiny new faucets, Manas Air Base Airmen made a visit to Bishkek's National Center of Oncology, or Children's Cancer Center.

Dozens of smiling children, afflicted with life threatening cancer illnesses, waved through the curtained windows of their hospital rooms as the Manas Air Base Outreach Society volunteers pulled up to the center.

"I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I visited the children the first time," said Airman 1st Class Adam McDonough, assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "It made me feel good to make the children smile and know they were feeling better after our visit, despite their painful illnesses." 

The department of children's oncology is the only specialist department in Kyrgyzstan treating children with cancer and diseases like leukemia and tumors.

The children have come to recognize the faces and to embrace the friendship of the Airmen who frequently visit them. The giggles at bubbles being blown, the tumbling tower blocks spilling on a table and the joyous children's smiles as they each receive a soft toy to hug make the visit worthwhile for the Airmen.

"I wanted to contribute somehow, someway to these children who are fighting cancer," said Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Clark, assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group deployed from Peterson Air Force Base. Colo. "My grandma just passed away from cancer. She fought this horrible disease for 24 years. I loved to see the smiles on their faces. They are fighting this horrible disease, yet they were so full of joy!" 

"I loved to see the children's faces light up when we got to spend time with them and hand the toys to them and give them candy treats," said Sergeant Clark, a native of Rose Bud, S.C. "I enjoyed that the families seemed to appreciate us being there, especially when they were asking to take pictures with us."

After about an hour of play, it was lunchtime for the children. While the children appreciate the time they get to spend in the play area with the Americans, their energy levels are easily drained because of the radiation treatments.

"We can't thank the Americans enough for all that they are doing for our children," said Dr. Damira Baizakova, the Children's Cancer Hospital director. "They give so much of their time and are able to share love, friendship and kindness without asking for anything in return. If it wasn't for their efforts, these children would have nobody.

"Besides the parents who stay by their child's side, even having to sleep in the same bed as the child, there is no one else besides the Airmen who visit," she said. "The Americans' open hearts have helped us to see that if we take care of each other good things happen."

While the children ate and readied for naps, Airman rolled up their sleeves and got to work with the new faucets. Because many of the faucets were rusted to the sinks so badly, and some of the faucets had leaks, the process was a little slower than planned.

"It was one of those projects that once it got started there were a few snags. Like any handyman project, you anticipate it will be an easy job and then you end up running into some obstacles," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Lundgren, assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron deployed from McChord AFB, Wash.

"Having new faucets is a wonderful gift and beyond anything we ever hoped," Dr. Baizakova said. "And now they are going to help us with new floors. It will be so wonderful to be able to allow the children a sanitary place to play," said the doctor.

The next project the team plans to tackle is replacing the floors in the playroom.

"It's great that we are able to help by fixing faucets and the floors, and can make such significant improvements to the building, improving the quality of life for the parents, children and hospital staff," said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Pettit, assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group. "This was the second time I went to the cancer center. When I visit, I hope to just put a smile on the children's faces. 

"It really makes me realize how well we have it in the United Sates and in the military. There's so much we take for granted, and it's extremely humbling," said Sergeant Pettit who is deployed from Beale AFB, Calif., and native of Fort Wayne, Ind. "God has blessed me with the opportunity to help. So, what am I going to do about it? I will help in any way I can."

After a day sharing friendship and a little elbow grease, it was time to leave once more. 

"We plan to visit at least every two weeks so they can expect us on a consistent basis," Sergeant Pettit said.

Peering through pulled back curtains, one can see the gleaming eyes as the children wave goodbye.

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