Many locals will have heard of Jerome Frendo, the 20-year-old who sadly passed away in 2017, after losing his battle to cancer. Now, a couple of years on, his mother, along with newly formed foundation Smiling with Jerome, will be starting a new initiative this coming December which will help out cancer patients undergoing treatment at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

We spoke to Josette Frendo, Jerome’s mother, who told us all about the interesting initiative which will definitely make the long hours of treatment a bit more bearable, having been through the experience alongside her son. “Jerome spent nearly four years battling cancer as he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a bone cancer. We have experienced all the side effects of him having chemo and radiation, the anguish and heartache of seeing him in pain and the despair that we couldn't do anything more to help him,” she remembers.

“We did all that we could do, but seeing your loved one, especially your child, in such a condition, really hurts! We founded this Foundation as a legacy to our beloved Jerome so that we could help others in similar situations. We’ve experienced it all so we can understand much more what the patient and his family are experiencing.”

The new project

The new initiative involves handing out care bags called ‘Chemo Bags of Hope’ to patients undergoing cancer treatment at Mater Dei. “Chemo Bags of Hope are Chemo Bags for cancer patients who are facing chemotherapy for their treatment.”

The Chemo Bags of Hope will contain the following items that will help patients during the long hours of treatment.

1. Lap Blanket: to help patients keep cosy as it is normal to feel chilly

2. Colouring Book / Puzzle: something to keep the patients busy and act as a therapeutic outlet

3. Hand Sanitiser and Tissues: to keep the germs away

4. Lollipops: to get rid of the bad taste that chemo leaves behind

5. Stuffed Animal: for the younger patients to cuddle up to

6. Lip Balm: dry lips are a common side effect, so this will help them out

7. Water: staying hydrated is especially important during cancer treatment

8. Stress Ball: keeping the stress away is important so this little ball can help the patient remain calm

Josette tells us that the project will start in December when the foundation will visit the oncology centre and Hospice Malta to hand out the bags to the patients. “Each bag is lovingly filled with Hope for its recipient,” Josette remarks, saying they’ll be “spreading hope, one bag at a time.”

Those wishing to sponsor a bag can donate €25 euros by visiting our website www.smilingwithjerome.com or sending a cheque payable to ‘Smiling With Jerome’ to the address 43, Kyrios Triq ir-Rand, Attard ATD1300.