This year at the International School of Nanshan Shenzhen, the grade 10 class has been chosen to spearhead a fundraising project for children with leukemia.

    Leukemia is one of the most deadly cancers. About a third of children with cancer suffer from it. Grade 10 decided to visit the Shenzhen Childrens’ Hospital in Futian where children diagnosed with leukemia are treated.

    We saw children with big needles in their tiny little arms and parents who had to sell their houses to pay the hospital fees. One had to quit her job to be with her child. We saw children who were lonely and isolated in their small rooms.

    We gave them books and read to them. During that time, we learned of the sacrifices and feelings experienced by the families of the cancer patients, as well as the feelings of the patients themselves. We also recognized how fortunate it is to be healthy.

    The grade 10 class gave a brief presentation about this type of cancer to each class in the school, hoping they would learn as much as we had and all of them would pitch in for our fundraiser. Dr. Francis Pang, the owner of our school, has agreed to match the donations.

    The grade 10 class planned a walkathon on November 30 and the grade 7 class a Mock Jail on November 26 to raise more money for these children.

    We hope the public can be aware of what we are doing and of the devastating effect this disease has on the children and their families. Even the smallest donation can make a huge difference in the lives of these leukemia patients. We hope that you feel as much sympathy for them as we do here at International School of Nanshan Shenzhen.