The Children’s Cancer Network originated from regular weekly volunteer activities since 2016 at the Pediatric Hematology Department of the National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion (Hanoi), initiated by Hoang Thi Dieu Thuan – a former leukemia patient who successfully underwent a stem cell transplant at the Institute.
Currently, Thuan is the founder and director of the Children’s Cancer Network, which aims to benefit underprivileged children with cancer and children whose parents have cancer by implementing various community projects. These include creating employment opportunities for parents of children patients, awarding scholarships to earnest children whose parents have cancer, building a wig library made from real hair for young patients, and connecting specialists/doctors with families of children patients to provide them with more helpful advice in their children’s treatment.
Notably, the Children’s Cancer Network also serves as a platform connecting students to develop and implement their own community projects aimed at supporting children with cancer in Vietnam.
Our Team
Founder – Hoang Thi Dieu Thuan
Hoang Thi Dieu Thuan was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 18, during her freshman year at the Faculty of Finance & Banking – University of Economics (Vietnam National University, Hanoi). After seven years of treatment, miraculously, Thuan recovered thanks to a successful stem cell transplant.
Even though her health had been regained, Thuan couldn’t “leave” the hospital grounds. She always felt a deep concern for children with cancer. Thuan has become an active volunteer at the Pediatric Hematology Department (H6) of the National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion since 2016, engaging in activities such as reading, drawing, singing, dancing, and giving gifts to young patients weekly.
Thuan has written two autobiographical books, “Like a Sunflower” and “The Sun Shines” about her many years facing cancer, especially her stem cell transplant journey. She donated the entire proceeds from her book sales, totaling VND 96,266,000, to support charitable activities for children with cancer.
With the companionship and support of many friends, Thuan initiated other small projects such as organizing fundraising workshops and selling handmade items to raise funds for activities and gifts for underprivileged young patients at the National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, K Hospital, National Children’s Hospital, and Hanoi Oncology Hospital.
Thuan is skilled in writing articles and scripts, which has provided her with opportunities to participate in media projects supporting cancer patients, especially children. In late 2019, Thuan received a Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Health at a ceremony honoring individuals who contributed to cancer patient support programs through the Bright Future Fund (Ministry of Health).
In late April 2021, Thuan decided to establish the Children’s Cancer Network to gain legal status, enabling longer-term and more in-depth support for children with cancer and their families. Here, the ‘cancer children’ that Thuan aims to help include both children with cancer and children whose parents have cancer.
The greatest wish of Thuan and the Children’s Cancer Network is to create many beautiful memories with the children, to make them feel important and loved, thereby awakening their dreams and giving them a spiritual boost to continue fighting and overcoming illness as well as life’s challenges.
Advisory Team
Dr. Tran Thi Mai Oanh
Director of the Health Strategy and Policy Institute
Specialist Level 2 Dr. Vo Thi Thanh Binh
Head of Stem Cell Transplant Department, National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion
Ms. Ly Thi Hao (Master)
Head of Social Work Department, National Institute of Hematology & Blood Transfusion
