At the Oncology Institute, where courage and hope are intertwined in the fight against leukaemia, there is a ray of light that warms the souls of parents and children battling this merciless disease. The initiative comes on behalf of the non-profit association “Life without leukaemia” through the project “School for parents of children in treatment and recovery.”
In an environment where any detail can make the difference between life and death, children diagnosed with leukaemia face rigorous treatment and immense challenges. Throughout this struggle, the unseen heroes are their parents, who also become guardian angels, nurses and psychologists. Thus, the non-profit association “Life Without Leukaemia” intervenes to psychologically support these parents and provide them with essential informational support.
The “School for parents of children undergoing treatment and recovery” provides an environment of learning, compassion and re-gathering. This initiative gives parents the tools they need to meet the complex challenges of caring for their children during treatment and recovery. Structured in several components, this program brings light to these families’ most difficult moments.
Meetings with medical specialists, where parents have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about their children’s medical care. Here, information becomes strength and hope, and fear and uncertainty turn to confidence.
Another component of this programme is psychological support. Parents face stress and fear about their children’s health, and this program provides specialized psychological support to help them cope with these emotions. When waiting becomes a long and difficult ordeal, this support becomes invaluable.
Group therapy, including art therapy workshops and meditation are tools through which parents can share their fears and worries. Here, finding solutions and overcoming obstacles becomes easier and people discover the power of community and peer-to-peer support.
In addition, the ‘School for Parents of Children in Treatment and Recovery’ has no borders. The programme is also open to refugees from Ukraine who are in the Republic of Moldova. This initiative provides an opportunity for refugee parents to learn how to care for their children in the language they know, removing the language barriers that can exist while living and facing the challenges of life in a foreign country.
To ensure access to support and information in a more accessible way, the association also provides parents with a 24-hour helpline and an online communication platform where parents can talk to an experienced psychologist. This is an innovative, much-needed practice, carried out with financial support from Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe.
The non-profit association “Life Without Leukaemia” through the “School for parents of children in treatment and recovery” is an oasis of trust and support in the difficult environment of the fight against leukaemia. This initiative not only provides parents with the tools to care for their children, but also brings them much needed hope and support during difficult times. Together, they remind us that in every day of struggle, there is also a ray of light and hope that encourages us to keep going.
Please note that from July to December 2023, the Alliance of NGOs Active in the Field of Child and Family Welfare (APSCF) is implementing the project “Assisting Moldovan NGOs in Supporting Ukrainian Refugees – Phase III,” with financial support from Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe. This project extends the reach of the programme beyond the borders of Moldova.