In a heartwarming escape from hospital wards to blooming wonder, young cancer fighters were treated to a refreshing outing at Kashmir’s famed Tulip Garden on the foothills of Zabarwan range.
The outing on Tuesday aimed to lift spirits and offer moments of joy amid their ongoing battles, as the children soaked in the vibrant colours of Asia’s largest tulip garden.
Around a dozen children, aged between four and 18, from the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) took part in the outing, turning a day otherwise marked by treatment into one filled with laughter, colour, and hope.
The visit allowed them to connect with nature and experience a sense of normalcy beyond hospital walls.
The outing was flagged off by SKIMS Director Prof M. Ashraf Ganie in the presence of senior faculty of the Valley’s premier tertiary care hospital.
Ganie said the initiative was grounded in scientific understanding, noting that positive recreational experiences can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, thereby improving emotional well-being among children undergoing treatment.
“Similar outings are being planned for cancer survivors and children living with diabetes,” he said.
A doctor associated with the programme said the visit was not merely recreational but formed part of the children’s immunotherapy treatment.
“We are trying to boost the immunity of these children, which can help make our treatment more effective,” the doctor said, adding that such experiences support both physical resilience and emotional health.
The children were accompanied by medical staff and dedicated SKIMS personnel, who ensured their comfort and safety throughout the visit.
Officials from the Department of Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, Jammu and Kashmir, facilitated the trip by providing complimentary entry and refreshments.
