The 10th International Week for Children with Leukemia in Turkey

The tenth International Week for Children with Leukemia in Turkey took place from the 28^th of May to the 3^rd of June, 2011. The Turkish fund LOSEV organizes this yearly event, aiming to bring children with leukemia and their mothers from different countries together. The friendship between Rugutė and LOSEV began in 2006. Our children were invited to come to Turkey for the third time.

 

This time two of Rugutė’s children went to Turkey: Ignas, accompanied by his mother, and who has recovered from leukemia twice, and Simona, who was invited to participate in the International Week for Children with Leukemia for the second time. It was the 10th anniversary of the event.

 

The event, as usual, took place in two cities of Turkey – Ankara and Antalya, where all the participants had great opportunities to get to know the history and the wonderful nature of Turkey. Besides the guided tours and amusements for children, there were scientific conferences, where all the mothers shared their unforgettable experiences and their knowledge about the disease.

 

Besides admiring the Turkish customs and traditions, Ignas and Simona (like all the participants) presented their national costumes and Lithuanian souvenirs they had brought from home. The children also gave a special gift to the team of LOSEV fund, a handmade ship that has become a symbol of Rugutė.

 

We sincerely thank the fund LOSEV for giving one more opportunity for children of Rugutė to participate in the International Week for Children with Leukemia. We are happy to hear about the adventures our children experienced in Turkey, and we thank you for the whole lot of positive emotions you provided to them!

 

We also say thank you to the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Turkey for warmly welcoming our participants in Ankara, and for every kind of help.

 

Ignas’s mother tells us about their trip to Turkey:

 

We were so eager to go to Turkey, given that the Lithuanian spring was long and cold. So, on the 28^th of May, Simona and Ignas (with his mother) were on their way to Ankara! In spite of baggage problems in the airport of Istambul, the trip was short and fun. Even though Ankara met us with clouds and rain, we were still tempted by the thoughts of the wonderful time we were about to have in this Southern country...

 

The little fighters from 13 countries (Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia, Jordan, Austria, China, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania and Turkey) gathered at the opening dinner. We all presented ourselves and tried to memorize the unusual names. Our group consisted of 40 people.

 

The entire week in Turkey was full of events and adventures.

 

We heard about the newest methods of leukemia treatment, scientific researches, nutrition principles and causes of the disease, during the scientific conference that was led by the well-known Turkish pediatrician / hematologist, Dr. Ustun Ezer, as well as other physicians and representatives of the international organization for the ill children.

 

In Ankara we visited the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Turkey, where we were warmly welcomed by Damyras Asanavičius, the advisor for the Embassy.

 

Our eyes sparkled as we walked in the streets of old Ankara town and watched different people and buildings. In the castle of Ankara, we experienced images, scents, taste, beauty, poverty and tranquility of genuine old Turkey.

 

We all gathered at the Gala night wearing our national costumes. We were fascinated by the luxury of the hotel, friendly people, great music and delicious food. Children and their mothers will never forget that night!

 

In Antalya we were welcomed by abundant food, a warm blue sea, water park amusements, a comfortable hotel, great personnel, beautiful surroundings, spectacular scenery and hot, but pleasant weather. Children and mothers were especially delighted to see the amazing dolphin show. During the tour to Kemer town we admired wonderful scenery through the windows of our bus. We also visited the local market where we bought some souvenirs and tested our bargaining skills.

 

At first Ignas was a little overwhelmed by all the attention he was receiving. He was the youngest participant, so everyone wanted to meet him. Later Ignas was very happy to make friends with some of the older kids. Simona had a great time, made a lot of friends and even met a few buddies from her previous trip to Turkey. Children from all countries were very friendly and sincere. The great leaders and volunteers of LOSEV fund were taking good care of us. Tears followed our parting with our new friends.

 

So we experienced lots of adventures, made new friends, saw an amazing country and improved our English language skills. We came home with our hearts full of joy.

 

We say a huge, most sincere THANK YOU to LOSEV and RUGUTE for such a wonderful gift!

 

Simona is sharing her feelings about her second trip to Turkey:

 

The first day of our trip was long and tiring. Early in the morning, Edita brought me and Ignas and his mother to Riga, where we took a flight to Turkey. The flight (unlike the previous time when the airplane was very small) did not take too long. In Ankara we were met by the driver from the Lithuanian embassy and brought to the hotel. Having settled in our rooms we went to the opening dinner. When I returned to my room, I realized I was going to have a roommate. Shortly after that I heard the door opening and, then, a loud cry of amazement: „Oh my God!“. I turned back and saw my friend that I met during the International Week for Children with Leukemia 2007! We hugged each other and talked for hours. I was so happy to see her!

 

On the second day we participated in a conference on our disease and its causes, and how to avoid it. Later we all went to the Gala night wearing our national costumes. Everybody liked my costume and the souvenirs (the bracelets with our national colors) that we had brought. It was very late when we returned to the hotel, so we went straight to bed.

 

We spent the third day sightseeing in the city of Ankara. In the morning we visited the castle of Ankara and walked in the ruins. The program was similar to the one we had 4 years ago. Later we went to the mall, but didn’t have time to buy anything. Finally, we went to the office of LOSEV, where we watched some presentations and shared our experiences.

 

On the fourth day we flew to Antalya. The hotel was huge, incredibly beautiful, and the surroundings were green…The weather was fantastic, so Angela and I spent time at the pool. Everybody was very friendly. I spent most of the time with my three friends – Angela, Irinel from Romania and Bahar from Jordan (we are all of the same age). We had fun at the disco. I returned to my room around 3 a.m. This day was the best of all! I wished for the rest of our days to be as fun…

 

Our fifth day started at a conference, and when it was over, we got to watch the dolphin show. The dolphins were trained by the same trainer Saulius from Lithuania (we watched the dolphin show a previous time as well). This time I had the same fascination of the show, because dolphins are such incredible animals. At night we went for a walk in the old-town and dined at a restaurant with a sea view. Having come back to the hotel we enjoyed the animator program and, as usual, a disco.

 

On the sixth (our last) day we took a boat trip. This trip was very scenic: the blue sea, mountains and rocks were incredibly beautiful, but our thoughts were about not wanting to go home the next day, and having to say good-bye to everyone… We could not sleep that night. We have a special connection to one another, perhaps because we share the same life experience. Only after a strike of the disease one realizes how precious our loved ones are. All four of us were hiding tears and trying to have as much fun as possible. In the morning it was so difficult to say good-bye. Angela and I had to part for the second time. I did not want to go home to and let go of the people that I had so much in common with.

 

I am crying from happiness to have had such an opportunity to meet my friends. We are still in touch and miss each other dearly. I hope that we will meet in the future, because I love them so much. Of course, I have not forgotten Fulya and other organizers, who were very kind people and great listeners and supporters. I know I will see them again sometime.

 

I cannot compare this, latest, trip to Turkey with my previous trip, because both of them were equally interesting and fun.

 

 

Photo gallery of the trip – Ignas and Simona in Turkey