Skylar May Ebanks, affectionately called “Mimi”.
Paediatric patients at the Cayman Islands Hospital can expect a more pleasant and exciting experience during their visit, thanks to the charity of a five-year-old brain cancer survivor and her family.
On 31 May, Mechon and Tommy Ebanks, parents of cancer survivor Skylar May “Mimi” Ebanks, spread awareness of childhood cancer and gave back to the community by launching “Mimi’s Happy Cart” in celebration of their daughter’s fifth birthday and five years in remission. Filled with art supplies, gifts, games and activities, Mimi’s Happy Cart offers a creative and thrilling distraction to children while they wait to be seen by the doctor or while admitted to the ward.
In addition, the family teamed up with the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) to repaint the paediatric clinic, decorating the walls with Dr. Seuss quotes and animal decals.
Minister of Health Hon. Dwayne Seymour and Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn greets Mimi en route to a meeting at Cayman Islands Hospital.
“The support that we received from the community throughout these five years has been amazing and means a lot to our family. We consider Mimi a miracle baby and a blessing. To show our appreciation we wanted to pass that blessing on to our community by giving back to other children who are going through challenging times,” said Mrs. Ebanks.
At five weeks old, Mimi was diagnosed with brain cancer at the Cayman Islands Hospital and has undergone treatment including two brain surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, US. Since then, her scans have consistently shown no evidence of disease.
“She is a miracle baby. When she was diagnosed, there was a grim prognosis for her and a lot of things were against her, even her survival,” said Mr. Ebanks. “However, today (31 May) is a happy day for Mimi and our entire family.”
Mimi delivers a treat to a baby at the Cayman Islands Hospital Paediatric Clinic.
The Ebanks’ spent the morning delivering gifts to children at the paediatric clinic and on the ward.
“This is such a heartwarming moment for me and the paediatric staff. We want to thank the Ebanks family and their little warrior princess Mimi for their very thoughtful and generous contribution to our unit. I know Mimi’s Happy Cart will definitely bring smiles to our patients’ faces,” said Head of Paediatrics Department Dr. Chela Lamsee-Ebanks.
Mimi’s mother noted that the family will be replenishing Mimi’s Happy Cart monthly. Anybody who would like to contribute to Mimi’s Happy Cart may contact the Ebanks family via email at tommyandmechon@gmail.com.
L-r: Mimi’s mother Mechon Ebanks, Head of Paediatrics Department Dr. Chela Lamsee-Ebanks, Paediatric Nurse Rebecca Rankine, Mimi’s father Tommy Ebanks and Mimi (front) in the freshly painted paediatric clinic.
Mimi’s parents sings happy birthday to Mimi at the paediatric ward.
