Special opening ceremony at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital

Among the rows of patient rooms at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, a small but laughter-filled class opened on the occasion of the new school year. It was the 'Sunflower' class, born from the 'Thuy's Dream' program of Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc leads sick children into the classroom after the opening ceremony - Photo: TRI DUC

"In the joyful atmosphere of the first days of September, when the whole country has just solemnly celebrated the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2 and is preparing to enter the new school year 2025-2026, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital held the opening ceremony of a special class called "Sunflower" for children being treated here", Dr. Diep Bao Tuan - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, spoke at the opening ceremony of the special class on the morning of September 4.

This is a special class with special students, in a very special place: Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, not at school.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Truong Thi Bich Hanh - Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City... along with teachers, benefactors and many parents.

The presence of leaders and guests is a great source of spiritual encouragement for the sick children on this special opening day.

The sick children of the class are performing the flag-raising ceremony - Photo: TRI DUC

The "Sunflower" class has been maintained for the past 16 years, with the aim of bringing knowledge and joy of learning to children who are unfortunately suffering from serious illnesses.

Unlike normal schools, this class takes place right on the hospital campus. In addition to the teaching of teachers, the program also receives support from sponsors, benefactors and volunteers.

What is special is that the class was formed from the program "Thuy's Dream" launched by Tuoi Tre newspaper, with the desire to bring a learning environment to children who are unfortunately suffering from cancer.

From that initial seed, after many years, the "Sunflower" class has become a bright spot of humanity, a place to give wings to thousands of children's dreams in the midst of their journey fighting illness.

Here, the children are treated and have the opportunity to study and review their knowledge so that when they return to school, their studies will not be interrupted. More importantly, the classroom is also a place for them to connect, share, create joy and strength.

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Phuoc Loc (left cover) and Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital Diep Bao Tuan (second from right) presented gifts to the teachers of the class - Photo: TRI DUC

One of the students in the class is CHH, 16 years old, from Thanh Hoa . H. has been treated for lymphoma for two years at the Oncology Hospital.

Although she had to undergo many rounds of chemotherapy and her health was declining, whenever she felt well, she took the opportunity to go to class. H.'s story is a living testament to the studious spirit, optimism, as well as the humanistic values ​​of this classroom model.

Dr. Diep Bao Tuan believes that this year's class will continue to be successful, becoming a spiritual support for the children and their families throughout the treatment process.

In the joy of the opening day, the innocent eyes of the children at the hospital expressed their desire to live, to study and to continue writing their dreams.

Dr. Diep Bao Tuan - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, speaking at the opening ceremony - Photo: TRI DUC

Children receive gifts at the opening ceremony - Photo: TRI DUC

Back to topic

THUY DUONG - Tri Duc

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/le-khai-giang-dac-biet-tai-benh-vien-ung-buou-tp-hcm-20250904114014082.htm