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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2022 12 COMMERCIAL PUTTINU Cares, the chil- dren's cancer support group was set up in October 2002 and began from an idea and desire to offer a holistic approach of care for families with children suffering from cancer. Dr. Vic- tor Calvagna and Mr. Rennie Zerafa were the founders of this group. The first project of the char- ity was to bring to life the dull children's ward in St. Luke's Hospital (the former general hospital in Malta until 2007). With the help of passionate volunteers and generous spon- sors the ward was soon bright- ened up with vivacious colours and fun pictures that created an environment more attrac- tive for children, and thus more conducive to children's medi- cal care. An annual Summer BBQ is organized for the children and their families as well as a Christ- mas Party where presents are handed out to all participating children. These activities have become a yearly event in Puttinu Cares' Cal- endar. Several other small- er activities are held throughout the year. Some of these ac- tivities are o r g a n i z e d by third-par- ties with pro- ceeds going to support the charity. Puttinu Cares employs the principle of solidarity. The charity relies and are grateful on sponsors and generous do- nations from the public, who also participate regularly in fund raising activities. Today the biggest annual fundraising event of Puttinu Cares, is the Football Marathon, which is usually held in spring. None- theless any help immaterial of it size is much appreciated on behalf of the Charity's benefices. Thanks to the continuous extensive cov- erage and s u p p o r t o f f e r e d especially by the lo- cal media, P u t t i n u Cares has throughout the years cre- ated a respecta- ble image among its ever increasing support- ers and donors. Today the children's oncolo- gy ward is housed in the Rain- bow ward at the Sir Anthony Oncology Centre Msida. The professional staff of the ward work tirelessly and hand in hand with the dedicated team members and volunteers of Puttinu Cares who are always willing to provide whatever is needed to the cancer sick chil- dren and their respective fami- lies going through this very dif- ficult period in their lives. The support group offers guidance for parents in order to help them deal with this ordeal ahead and given them hope for a better future. The team gets to know the familes – their likes and dislikes, weak- nesses and strengths, and aims to treat each family as an indi- vidual team with customized needs. Since Malta is a small island state, with limited resources, it is next to impossible to ca- ter for all the required medical care taking into account the complexities and variants that such illnesses may involve. To this end, some of these young patients have to travel overseas accompanied by their families to specialized hospital to re- ceive specific treatment that is not available in Malta. Puttinu Cares has a dream – that there will come a day when no patient and his family undergoing treatment abroad will have to pay for accommo- dation. We are on our way to making this dream come true. Right now we are in the pro- cess of purchasing a building in the centre of London since the majority of patients go to Great Ormond. The importance of support- ing patients when they are un- dertaking therapy away from home is paramount. Provid- ing accommodation close to the hospital not only alleviates the financial burden but is al- so an important ingredient in the sick child's cure. Having their parents and siblings close at hand when they are going through these difficult times is not a luxury, but a must. If you need more information do not hesitate to contact us on info@puttinucares.org or on www.puttinucares.org Puttinu Cares hopes to offer a holistic approach of care for families with children suffering from cancer Puttinu Cares, Rainbow Ward, Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, Level (-1) c/o Paediatric/Adolescent Ward, Msida, Malta. www.puttinucares.org @ info@puttinucares.org +356 2545 2310 26 th January 2022 To whom it may concern, Puttinu Cares was founded in 2002, with the objective of supporting children requiring cancer treatment abroad. Over time, the foundation extended its support to adults requiring cancer treatment abroad. At present, between 70 to 90 patients are receiving treatment in the UK every month. Puttinu provides the necessary accommodation free of charge for the patient and their whole family. Their stay spans over weeks, months and even years. CLASS Optical, commemorat- ing World Sight Day 2021 with the theme 'Love Your Eyes', and Zeiss's 175th founding An- niversary, recently made a do- nation to the Malta Society of the Blind. Joseph Micallef, the Society's Treasurer, accompanied and guided by Ellie, his very faith- ful companion, visited Class Optical's new premises in San Gwann. The Corporate donation was further augmented by dona- tions that Zeiss customers were encouraged to make for this purpose at several partic- ipating optical outlets. More funds were generated by Class Optical from the sale of surplus furniture and fittings on the move to the new offices. These were also added to the donation amount. Mr. Micallef was very appre- ciative of the generous gesture and has already earmarked the funds to purchase aids for the Society's members. These in- clude small gadgets and Braille related materials, which make life easier and more accessible to people with visual impair- ment. Mr Micallef also de- scribed how Braille is still very relevant in today's era because it gives a blind person more op- portunities, in having a differ- ent way of reading and writing, other than only listening to au- diobooks. Class Optical is a specialist organisation in the optical in- dustry. It has been serving the local market for over 35 years. The company provides the full spectrum of optical prod- ucts and services to the optical trade across its manufacturing and trading departments, and operates the only fully-fledged optical 'free-form' laboratory in Malta. Class Optical commemorates World Sight Day 2021 with the theme 'love your eyes' Joseph Micallef, the Society's Treasurer, accompanied and guided by Ellie, his very faithful companion, visited Class Optical's new premises in San Gwann.