Activities for cancer survivors
In our country, 84% of children with cancer recover (according to data by RETI-SEHOP), but in many cases suffer from sequels derived from the illness or treatment. It is fundamental that there exist protocols to follow that allow us to reduce potential late effects and improve the patients’ quality of life. Our programs NES and NESI contribute to boosting these children’s autonomy and lifting their spirits, alongside other benefits.
“You are not alone” program for teens
No Estás Sol@ (“You are not alone”)(NES) is an integral assistance program aimed to help adolescents and youth between 14 and 19 years old who have survived a form of child cancer, as well as their families. The objective is to improve the quality of life, helping them face their physical, emotional, and social problems derived from the illness, and to build a future of health and opportunities.
The project operates in three simultaneous key areas:
- Emotional area:
Through leisure/educational group and individual activities, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and social connection are all areas that are worked on.
Companionship and individual valorization of the program’s participants.
- Family area: Support is given to families with tools for coping and meeting spaces to share experiences.
- Formative area: We offer individual academic and professional orientation.
One of the fundamental pillars of the program is MENTORING: each participant counts with the support of a mentor who, during the program´s duration, accompanies them during their process in decision-making progress, identifying their interests, and helping them project their future goals during the inescapable adulthood and workfore.
The program also promotes building relationships between people of similar backgrounds, knitting alliances with other entities that help with youth at risk of social exclusion, strengthening networking, sharing objectives and resources, fusing capability and effort.
With the program NES, adolescents find a safe space in which they can grow up in, reconnect, and move forward, knowing that they are not alone.
- Cinema and theater
- Bowling, picnic or manicure sessions
- Workshop on autonomy sponsored by public transport company (TMB)
- Attendance to exhibitions and museums
- Sport activities
- Sighseeing tours
- Workshop with dogs run by CTAC (center specializing in therapies using animals)
- Amusement parks and weekend activities
- And many more activities...
“You are not alone” program for children
Enriching program for patients below 10 years old that have survived a form of cancer, and are now suffering physical, neurological, and psychosocial secondary problems.
These enriching and educational activities aim to help children gp out, strengthen social skills, help overcome tensions, increase confidence, and break isolation, all through fun activities and the open air.
Some of the activities developed in this program are the following:
- Therapies with dogs and horses
- Music therapy
- Weekend outings with family
- Sailboating by the coast
- Visitng and interacting with farm animals
- Attendance to exhibitions and museums
- Cooking workshops
- And many more activities...
In the case of the program NESI (No Estás Sol@ —Infantil”)(“You are not alone—Children”), the principal objective is to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors less than 10 years old, as well as their families. We favor the socialization of patients and families, enforce happiness as a basic childhood right, strengthen familial relationships with a special emphasis on sibling relationships, and support the formation of relationships between children of similar backgrounds.
A major part of this program is financed thanks to the funds raised through the Solidary Market selling clothes, a solidarity initiative that is organized each year by little Blancas’ family.
