Happiness is giving
"Saint Paul taught that "it is more blessed to give than to receive". For me, happiness is giving, especially when that giving contributes to protecting life, giving more strength, faith, and hope to patients to overcome difficulties...", that is the thought of Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong.
• November 12, 2024
Every Tuesday, in a small, shady corner of the Nghe An Oncology Hospital, free haircuts and shampoos are given to cancer patients. The activities take place quietly, without much noise, but are filled with a warm atmosphere and love.
Under the skillful hands of professional hairdressers from salons, damaged hair due to side effects after chemotherapy is neatly trimmed.
Looking at her new appearance in the mirror, Ms. Tran Thi Thuan - a breast cancer patient from Do Luong district, expressed: "I am undergoing the third treatment regimen, my hair has fallen out a lot and I have to shave it off, so I feel self-conscious and insecure because our ancestors said "teeth and hair are the cornerstones of a person", but the encouragement of the doctors and barbers has helped me feel much warmer and more confident."
“Free haircuts and shampoos for cancer patients” is one of the ideas of Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong, maintained by the Department of Social Work and Communications (Nghe An Oncology Hospital) in coordination with philanthropists and hair salons in Vinh city and neighboring districts from 2019 to present.
Not only that, to add spirit and determination to help patients fight against serious illnesses, the Department of Social Work and Communications also connected with the "For a Bright Tomorrow" Fund to organize the Hair Donation Festival "Hundreds of Hairs, Millions of Smiles", thereby calling on 700 people to donate hair to raise hair funds for cancer patients being treated at the Oncology Hospital, "how many hairs, how many love"!
Many disadvantaged patients have received support from such practical programs and activities, and the person who "ignited the fire" is Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong.
Born and raised in a Catholic family that loves God and the country in Yen Dai parish, Nghi Phu commune (Vinh city), graduated from Thai Binh Medical University, in 1996, Dr. Nguyen Van Huong joined Vinh City Medical Center, was assigned as Head of Nghi Phu Commune Medical Station, until 2011, he was transferred to be Head of HIV Clinic (now belongs to Nghe An CDC Center).
The opportunity to engage in social work came in 2016, when his father was diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Nguyen Van Huong personally took his father to the doctor for examination and treatment, witnessing many patients not only tormented by illness but also struggling with every meal and every hospital bill...
With a burning desire to do something to help them, in 2017, he applied to return to Nghe An Oncology Hospital and was assigned to be in charge of the Quality Management and Social Work Department (now the Social Work and Communication Department) as he wished.
At this time, the newly established department did not have many activities. With the attention and support of the hospital's Board of Directors, Dr. Nguyen Van Huong deployed the construction of a network of social work collaborators in all departments and rooms to promptly grasp the thoughts and circumstances that needed support.
Thanks to that, the activities of the Social Work and Communications Department have gradually made their mark with practical programs that meet the needs of patients.
Typically, the programs “Spring of Love” and “Connection of Love” invite famous people such as People’s Artist Hong Luu, singer Siu Black… to perform to encourage the spirit and raise charity funds for poor patients. Or calling on benefactors to support the construction of a “Zero-VND Library”, those who have extra can bring it, those who lack can take it with many necessary items such as clothes, disinfectants, masks, wigs… worth an estimated hundreds of millions of VND.
Notably, with his relationships and prestige, Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong also connected with famous garment companies to sponsor hundreds of export-standard warm coats to bring a warm winter to patients; connected and built the "Bright Tomorrow Fund" and "Kindness Fund" to support cancer patients.
Of which, the "Bright Tomorrow" Fund has maintained its operations until now and has supported 200 patients, with a total amount of more than 745 million VND.;Connect with Vinh Diocese Business Association to present gifts worth more than 100 million VND, encourage elderly patients being treated at Nghe An Oncology Hospital; connect with charitable organizations to coordinate with hospital canteens to support meals for patients meeting the standards of the Ministry of Health for disadvantaged patients (priority is given to departments with many seriously ill patients)...
Thereby, spreading the "fire" of love, solidarity and community contribution, contributing to encouraging and easing the pain of patients.
In addition to material support, Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong directed the Social Work and Communications Department to carry out many activities to encourage patients mentally.
For example, the birth of the photo album "Victory Smile", which captures the most optimistic and warm moments of patients with a smile of hope lighting up their lips.
Or charity programs that rotate according to holidays of the year, suitable for each target group such as "Mid-Autumn Festival", "Children's International" giving gifts to young patients; "Happy Smile" program to encourage "female warriors" who are fighting serious illnesses on March 8, October 20; gratitude program for patients who are wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, relatives of families with meritorious services to the revolution who are being treated at Nghe An Oncology Hospital on the occasion of July 27...
To gain the trust of charitable organizations and philanthropists, to accompany the hospital's charitable activities for a long time, and to expand support for patients, the "secret" of Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong is summarized in a few words: "Open, transparent, sincere, using effectiveness as a measure"!
Doctor Nguyen Van Huong shared: “Personally, I and my colleagues in the Social Work and Communications Department have determined to never covet even a single penny from benefactors or thank patients with material gifts.
We only act as a “bridge” for donors and charitable organizations to give directly to patients. Therefore, we have built trust for both the giver and the receiver.
There are benefactors who, when coming to give directly at the hospital, witness the prestigious working style of social workers, have determined to accompany them for a long time, the amount of support each time is more than the previous time and the number of patients receiving support is also increasing day by day. Not only that, they also call on others to participate and replicate.
For example, the "Bright Tomorrow" Fund initially supported only 5 patients per month, but now it has increased to 10 patients with a support level of 5 million VND/person/month.
The doctor who is deeply involved in social activities also pays great attention to the way of giving and receiving, because as his father said, "the way of giving is not as good as the amount of giving", the number of patients is large while the support is limited, if given directly in the patient's room, it will make others feel sad and sorry because everyone has a serious illness. Therefore, depending on the actual situation, the hospital will arrange for the charity to give directly to the patient in the department office or the common hall.
“A tree needs to be taken care of to grow well. The same goes for relationships with philanthropists and charitable organizations. We must connect regularly and maintain close contact, not just remember them when needed,” Dr. Nguyen Van Huong emphasized.
Commenting on social work at the Hospital, Dr. Pham Vinh Hung - Deputy Director of Nghe An Oncology Hospital shared: Cancer patients often undergo long-term and expensive treatment, many families fall into difficult circumstances and need help. Therefore, the Hospital Board of Directors has considered and established the Department of Social Work and Communications.
Since its establishment, the head, Dr. Nguyen Van Huong, with a high sense of responsibility and creative approach, has called on charitable organizations and philanthropists to carry out many volunteer activities to support and encourage patients both materially and spiritually, helping the treatment work to be more effective.
The love and sharing of social workers like Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong and his colleagues has spread kindness, helping many patients have the opportunity to treat and overcome their illnesses.
In a letter to the Military Medical Conference in March 1948, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized: "A doctor not only has the duty to cure illnesses but also to support the spirits of the sick."
The charitable activities that Dr. Nguyen Van Huong and his colleagues are carrying out are also aimed at "uplifting the spirit" and giving hope to patients. On the other hand, as a Catholic, Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong always aims towards the mission of the medical profession which is "committed to protecting life".
In addition to his time at the hospital, he spends his weekends working with philanthropists and charitable organizations to distribute medicine and examine the poor in remote areas. In particular, this doctor also quietly uses his own money to support the cost of medicine and meals for many patients in especially difficult circumstances, so that they can continue their treatment according to the regimen.
Talking to us, Ms. Du Thi Oanh, born in 1965, from Xuan Lam commune (Hung Nguyen), a breast cancer patient being treated at the hospital, emotionally expressed: I have a difficult situation, my husband died of cancer early, my child is in college, my biological mother had a stroke and is paralyzed on one side, my biological brother has had congenital cerebral palsy since childhood.
For the past 4 years, Dr. Nguyen Van Huong has used funds from his salary to support my medical expenses and meals at the hospital cafeteria. Many other patients in need have also received similar support; he is a doctor with a compassionate heart…”.
There are cases where patients only connect via phone but after explaining their situation, Dr. Huong accepts to help without any hesitation; such as Ms. Lo Thi Hieu (born in 1986), Thai ethnic group, from Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district, married in Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province.
Two years ago, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She received treatment in her husband's hometown, but her condition did not improve and her finances were exhausted.
Helpless and hopeless, she returned to her maternal home in Ky Son district to live out her last days. However, “One day, by chance, I heard that Nghe An Oncology Hospital was supporting cancer patients with special difficult circumstances. I contacted directly with Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong - Head of Social Work - Communication Department to ask for support for medical expenses. With the help of Doctor Huong as well as the hospital, I was admitted to Nghe An Oncology Hospital for treatment. During the treatment process, with the encouragement, care and support of hospital leaders, doctors, Social Work - Communication Department and benefactors in terms of material and spiritual support, I gradually gained more strength and hope in life. After a long period of treatment, I have overcome 6 rounds of chemotherapy. Now I am living and feel reborn. I am truly moved and extremely grateful..." - (Excerpt from thank you letter dated March 25, 2024 by Ms. Lo Thi Hieu).
Similarly, Mrs. Pham Thi Dung, residing in Nghi An commune, Vinh city, had a rather difficult situation when both husband and wife suffered from cancer, making the life of the demobilized soldier couple with 3 children even more difficult. In July 2023, her husband passed away, making Mrs. Dung's spirit even more depressed.
However, hope flashed when she heard the news and went directly to the Social Work - Communications Department of Nghe An Oncology Hospital to ask for support and was encouraged by Dr. Nguyen Van Huong to be admitted to the hospital to continue treatment in Internal Medicine Department 4.
“During the treatment, I received a lot of help from Dr. Nguyen Van Huong (support for hospital fees, travel...) and many gifts from benefactors. After 8 rounds of chemotherapy, my condition has improved a lot. I gradually have more motivation to fight the disease and hope to return to normal life soon... Thank you to the silent white-shirt soldiers, thank you for the smiles that have brought me, to the sick, faith in the treatment results and a better future...”, Mrs. Dung confided.
Perhaps, the heartfelt thanks from the patients are the clearest proof of the efforts for people's health of Specialist II Doctor Nguyen Van Huong and the doctors and nurses at Nghe An Oncology Hospital.
Always modest when talking about himself, the "leader" of the Social Work - Communications Department is very concerned because currently Nghe An Oncology Hospital is managing and treating about 10,000 patients, of which about 1,000-2,000 are in especially difficult circumstances.
Although the hospital's Board of Directors has paid attention to directing the implementation of many programs to support patients, the capacity is limited, so Dr. Nguyen Van Huong hopes that "there will be more philanthropists and volunteer organizations to continue to accompany and support cancer patients; because "Love will be greater than all fear and pain, helping patients feel secure in fighting serious illnesses and prolonging their lives!".
