The Manitos board headed to Paraguay for 5 days over President’s weekend. Five of the six US based board members (Gordon, Lesle, Laura, Richard, Claire – missed you Ana!) flew to Asuncion for a ceremony to unveil a memorial bronze plaque in memory of Emily. Tachi had organized an amazing schedule. We hit the ground running and met with the Minister of Health, the First lady of Paraguay (President Benitez has been in office a mere 5 months) and members of the hospital INCAN.
The 6 room facility was in impeccable shape, with newly installed cable TV, working air conditioners and each room a brilliant shade of pink, green, aqua or peach. Our suitcases were packed on our trip over with 11 wall canvasses to decorate the rooms (thank you Wayfair). I asked Claudia (15 who is being treated for a brain tumor which room she was in and she said “conejo” – the room with the rabbit! Elizabeth (16 and suffering from lymphoma) told me she was in the harp room! A painting of musical instruments hangs in her room.
Betty Oviedo, my friend and second mother to Emily, attended the unveiling and other events, including meeting Silvana López Moreira, the first lady of Paraguay. Betty is always on hand to remember her angel Emily, with tales of her strong personality and skill at getting whatever she wanted.
Our Paraguayan friends on the ground are always surprising us with the work they do and the circle of Manitos supporters in ever expanding – thank you to the Fundacion Florencia (Ernesto and Teresita) We are talking to Saint Jude’s hospital to see if we can collaborate and realize that the quality of life we provide the children is just the first step in our mission. We hope to work with the infrastructure of the health system in Paraguay to fight for earlier cancer diagnosis among children, particularly in areas that are not served by hospitals.