On November 5, 2019 (Tuesday), as part of the activities of the FC Tokyo Players Association, Hirotaka MITA visited the Donald McDonald House Setagaya House.
【What is the Donald McDonald House】
This facility provides affordable accommodation near medical facilities for children suffering from serious illnesses and their families. The operation of the house is funded entirely by donations from businesses and individuals, and is supported by the activities of local volunteers.
The purpose of this activity is to support children who are suffering from serious illnesses and are hospitalized for a long time, as well as the families of those children. By having the players interact with and encourage the families and the volunteers who are working in the house to support them, we aim to contribute to the support of children who are hospitalized for a long time.
Mita participated in activities with the people in the house, such as making beds with volunteers, conducting English conversation classes for the volunteers, and helping with "candy making" served during dinner.
Additionally, we listened carefully to the parents staying at the house about their children's illnesses, the isolation they often feel, and the difficult lives they lead due to worries and concerns about their children's futures.
◇Hirotaka MITA comment
"This time, I was able to visit the Donald McDonald House (Setagaya) for the first time, and I interacted with the families of the patients staying there and the volunteer staff supporting them. I was able to hear about life in the house, and it strengthened my desire to not only give courage through my soccer play but also to be a source of support in other ways. I want to take this opportunity to challenge myself with various activities."
