Making dreams come true: Patients visit Aviano AB for tour

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Three patients from the pediatric oncology department at the Aviano National Cancer Institute in Aviano, Italy, along with their family and friends, visited Aviano Air Base for a base tour, Feb. 12, 2015.

The visit included a trip to the fire department and a close-up look at an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"We showed the kids the base's capabilities and let them spray the water off the big crash trucks and ladder truck," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory DeMarco, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron fire station captain.

The visit provided the children and their families an opportunity to experience something out-of-the ordinary, and take their minds off their current health condition.

"I had a lot of fun today," said one child. "My favorite part was shooting the water out of the giant fire truck."

The visit afforded the group and the base an avenue to further cultivate the relationship between the two organizations.

"We love interacting with the local community and getting that positive perception of the base," Demarco said. "Hopefully the group tells their friends about the visit and gets the message out that we're a professional organization inside the gate with a heart for the local community."

The tour was set up several weeks ago with the help of one of the hospital's long-time volunteer teachers, Paola Fabbro.

Fabbro, a retired elementary school teacher, has been volunteering as a teacher at the hospital for more than five years. She dedicates up to 15 hours per week, depending on the number of children receiving treatment at the time.

"This experience has deeply enriched my soul," said Fabbro. "At the beginning I doubted I had enough strength to support children suffering from cancer; but these young patients are so strong, hopeful and brave. At the beginning I thought I could do anything, but then I realized I lacked experience [interacting with cancer patients]. You learn step-by-step what you have to do and how you have to behave."

According to Fabbro, these steps include meeting each patient's basic social needs.

"Even though these kids suffer, they always desire to play, laugh and smile," said Fabbro. "What makes the difference is their awareness of their illness and of their uncertain condition. They wish a normal and happy life and, through laughter, we improve their life."

Even though Fabbro teaches the children, she's often the one doing the most learning.

"Every child is special to me and teaches me to appreciate every single moment and the little things in life," she said. "The most surprising thing is to see the strength of these children. Even though they are sometimes weak they find a way to pull out all their strength and smile."

Fabbro warns that volunteering at the hospital is not for the faint of heart.

"Everyone can be a volunteer," she said. "I have to confess that at the beginning it can be difficult, especially if you are emotional. However, it is the kind of job that changes you and makes you appreciate every single moment of your life."

At the conclusion of the tour, the children returned to the hospital, where they'll continue their treatments.

"I'm so grateful toward the American services members and civilians who have always been gentle with our children and kindly let them visit the base," Fabbro said. "It means a lot to them. It is a dream that comes true, and it makes them feel special. We want our patients to have good memories."