Nov. 09, 2023 Social Contribution Activities
【Supporting the Making of Kiwanis Dolls that Comfort Children in Hospital】
As part of patient support activities, since 2015, Sumitomo Pharma has actively supported the making of Kiwanis dolls that comfort hospitalized children.
In fiscal 2023, company employees have continued to participate in the making of Kiwanis dolls as volunteers and 100 Kiwanis dolls have been donated to the Nishinomiya Kiwanis Club together with messages from employees and family members who have been involved in making them. The dolls are delivered by the Club to hospitals in the Kansai area.
Made from a plain white material and stuffed with cotton, Kiwanis dolls are used in explanations to children of the medical treatment they will receive. Pictures illustrating treatments are drawn on the white dolls or they are used to simulate surgery or injections, to relieve children’s fear or anxiety concerning treatment. However, the dolls are not only used to explain treatment; children in hospital can have fun drawing faces or clothes on them so they are like “little friends” to children during their stays in hospital.
Kiwanis dolls made by employees and family members
The families of employees have also taken part in the making of Kiwanis dolls and there are many messages expressing their feelings imbued in the doll-making process (showing excerpts)