Healthy Living

Organizations Give Gifts to Boost Morale of Cancer Patients

A super gift

A super gift

5-year-old cancer patient Asher Thrift got a massive surprise before he headed to surgery recently. His favorite superheroes (Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Wonderwoman, and Spiderman) all came to give him strength, wish him good luck, and bestow upon him a few presents. These gifts included a cape, badge, and superhero gadgets.

Asher has stage IV ganglioneuroblastoma, which is a rare form of cancer. He has had to receive chemotherapy, and then travel to Atlanta for a long period of time in order to receive surgery. For a five-year-old, this is understandably terrifying. So, the hospital staff at Piedmont Athens Regional decided he deserved some fun before the big surgery. His doctor explained that decreasing anxiety and fear can significantly improve symptoms, so he tries to make the hospital as friendly of an environment as he can.

Asher's parents definitely agree with the doctor, and they try to always play games with Asher in the hospital. They explained that he has reached a point where he is beginning to feel comfortable at the hospital because of the friendly people and activities his parents bring. Of course, a hospital is a somber environment for a child, it is important to make it as positive as can possibly be. While no child deserves to go through what Asher does, his doctor explains that Asher himself is a superhero.