More than 150 people participate in the second day of “El futur existeix” (A future exists), dedicated to survivors of childhood cancer.
Hosted by the Villavecchia Foundation, 150 people have been gathered at a conference in Casa CUPRA.
The second edition of “El futur existeix” has become an achievement in highlighting the lived realities of childhood cancer survivors.
The day saw a success in participation and has brought some of the principal issues that cancer survivors face after they have defeated the illness. During the stretch of the day, survivors, families, sanitary professionals, and experts of various fields have shared experiences, knowledge, and reflections about the long-term effects of the illness and the necessity to offer integral support beyond the cancer treatments.
With generosity and courage, survivors and youth with sick siblings shared their lived experiences, the challenges that they have had to face like physical and emotional health, studying, work-related and social relationship integration, alongside the knowledge and strengths that have developed along the way.
The diverse group and round table have allowed to deepen the questions regarding the aftermath of childhood cancer, the importance of continuing specialized care, emotional wellbeing, the right to forget past oncological care, and the necessity to keep advancing recognizing the rights and needs of survivors.
From the Villavecchia Foundation, we want to express our most sincere gratitude to all the people have made it possible for this second iteration: to the speakers and moderators for sharing their knowledge and experience; to communicator Maria Bassegoda for her interviewing work and interesting observations; to the survivors and their families for giving voice to the realities that need to be heard; to the professionals who work every day to better the quality of life for patients and survivors; to the team at Casa Cupra and to all the people who have filled the room and contributed in generating a unique space of community, reflection, and hope.
The generated interest and great courage of the interviews confirm the necessity to continue promoting initiatives like “El futuro existe”, which contributes in bringing visibility to the challenges faced by survivors of childhood cancer and so creates a society that is more conscious, informed, and committed with people who have lived the same experience.
Surviving cancer is only one part of the story. The future exists and deserves to be lived with all the opportunities and support necessary for all of society.
