The largest teddy bear in the University Children's Clinical Hospital is now almost two meters tall. It must be big, because it is designed to scare off oncological diseases. The idea of him was born in Texas (USA) and it is related to the book “Miś Gabiś przegania onkotrachy" (“Bear Gabiś scares off the cancer").
Last year, dr Małgorzata Sawicka-Żukowska, from the Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology Clinic at the University Children's Clinical Hospital in Bialystok, published a book with poems for children. Pictures for the book was created by Gabrysia, doctor’s patient. Bear Gabiś is a guide for children in the world of oncological diseases. Over 20 poems deal with the subject of hospital reality. For example, they explain the healing and therapy procedures, how the disease may proceed or who is the head physician and who is the nurse. For small patients, but also for their scared parents, this is difficult knowledge. That is why a friend was needed to lead their hand through the disease.
The article about the book appeared in, among others Medyk Białostocki. This one was reviewed by prof. Irena Sarosiek, MUB’s graduate and a recognized scientist from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The case touched her. In addition, the professor's grandchildren became involved in the case and found exactly the same teddy bear as the one on the cover of the book and obliged their grandma to appear in the hospital in Bialystok. Grandma took the topic seriously and bought the largest teddy bear that could be obtained. In addition, she founded 40 smaller bears.
On October 16, the teddy bears came to the clinic. Dr. Jose Manuel De La Rosa M.D., Vice President of Texas Tech University, brought the biggest one. The day before, he signed a cooperation agreement between Texas and MUB.
