The workshop engaged the children in drawing and artwork activities where they created a thank you card dedicated to their families and doctors.

Colorful cards with touching thank you messages from the children were also presented to a teary-eyed Dr. Christine Bernal, who heads Pediatric Rheumatology at UST, Cardinal Santos Medical Center and Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

It was a heartwarming session with the children and their parents bonding together through sharing of their experiences involving their struggles in dealing with the disease and caring for their children with lupus and arthritis especially during disease “flare ups”.  Overall, acceptance, courage and trust in the Lord were the key messages from parents which greatly helped in coping with the illness. Each participant became a source of emotional and physical strength through this special support group activity.

Special guests included the secretary of Arthritis Club Ms. Zeny Estrada who was suffering from (adult) rheumatoid arthritis and our very own research assistant Ms. Robelle Tanangunan who has SLE.
Earlier on the same day, a rummage sale was conducted for the benefit of the indigent pediatric patients with rheumatic disease.

Sessions like this enable us, the staff and rheumatology fellows, to learn from and better understand our patients. We gained beautiful insights beyond medicine and prescriptions.