23/09/2026
23/9/2026 : Today is filled with Joy, Generosity and Meaningful Moments for the oncology patients at Ward 5PA & BMT, UMMC as they were treated to a wonderful and memorable visit filled with kindness, excitement and generosity.
We were delighted to welcome Crystal, Joe and Gelina from Mattel, who generously prepared special gifts not only for all the 15 oncology patients in the ward but extras for others too. Their thoughtful gesture brought smiles, anticipation and moments of happiness to patients who are going through a challenging period in their lives.
The visit was made even more meaningful through the collaboration between Mattel and the CARES volunteers, who worked together to create a joyful experience for the patients.
๐ A Special Gift Experience from Mattel
Mattel brought a fun and exciting blind-box-style gift experience for the patients. Each of the 15 patients received three individually wrapped presents, allowing them to choose which gift they wanted. The element of surprise made the experience especially enjoyable, as the patients had the opportunity to select their own presents without knowing what was inside.
This simple but thoughtful approach gave the patients a sense of choice and excitement, turning the gift-giving into a fun experience rather than simply receiving a present. The generosity of Crystal, Joe, Gelina from the Mattel team is deeply appreciated. Their time, effort and thoughtful gifts helped bring some much-needed joy to the ward.
๐ฎ DIY Lantern Activity by CARES Volunteers
Alongside the Mattel gift-giving activity, in conjunction with upcoming Mid-Autumn festival, CARES volunteers distributed DIY lantern packs to the patients. The activity provided an opportunity for patients to engage in something creative and hands-on. The DIY lantern packs were thoughtfully prepared by Ms. Annie our regular contributor, to give the patients an enjoyable activity that could also help brighten their surroundings.
๐ฎ A Special Moment with a Teenager
A particularly meaningful moment during the visit involved Heng, a third-year medical volunteer, who spent time playing games with one of the teenage patients. Beyond the gifts and activities, moments like this remind us that companionship and personal connection can be just as meaningful. Heng's willingness to spend time with the teenager provided an opportunity for conversation, laughter and simply enjoying a normal moment together.
โค๏ธ Our Appreciation
CARES would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Crystal, Joe and Gelina from Mattel for visiting Ward 5PA and for their generous gifts. We are equally grateful to the CARES volunteers for helping distribute the DIY lantern packs and supporting the activities, and to Heng for taking the time to engage personally with our teenage patient.
