Ms Ani's Foundation once again invites young Survivors (AYA - adolescent young adults) after oncological treatment to a therapeutic workshop to be held on 12-15 October 2023 at the Palomino Ranch in Żukowice in the Lisia Góra commune in the Tarnów district. The project is financed by a grant from the DKMS Foundation and dedicated to young people and young adults after diseases of the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
The aim of this project is to support young people after cancer treatment by giving them the tools they need to name and release the emotions associated with their illness, improve their quality of life and increase their independence.
The workshop programme developed by the Ms Anna Foundation (FPA) will be led by an experienced team: Prof. Marzena Samardakiewicz, clinical psychooncologist, Anna Buchacz, psychooncologist, and mental coaches from Mental Vibes.
"Discovering one's capabilities and believing in oneself again is a key element in the healing process," emphasises Ania Buchacz, founder of the Ms Ani Foundation, a survivor "Our 20 years of experience in accompanying young people after cancer shows that it is most effective to work in a peer group with similar experiences. The leitmotif of Ms Annie's Foundation - 'from Survivors for Survivors', perfectly reflects the most important aspect of the workshop - working through difficult experiences and experiences in a safe space, full of mutual acceptance and understanding, among people sharing similar emotions. This workshop formula is a response to the needs of young people".
Participants will find good rest and tranquillity after the workshop work during classes with horses led by Jolanta Lubera, trainer and owner of Palomino Ranch. Exploring and practising tools for working with building inner balance will be part of breathing and relaxation sessions led by Joanna Niewolik, holistic wellness coach.
Volunteer adult mentors Survivors and female medical students will accompany the young people on their workshop journey.
A sketchnoter - Anna Staśkiewicz - will take care of the graphic design and visual notes of the workshop. The transcript of the workshop created by her will form the basis of a solutions incubator and a report presenting the needs and challenges of young people after cancer treatment, thus serving to spread knowledge and best practice in improving the quality of life and mental health of survivors.
Registration for the event is possible via the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqD-420Kjq9BFs-32RtAAVdhpc42RZXfZELTDl7rT_YNdQKg/viewform
As part of the DKMS Foundation grant, a second edition of the workshop is planned for May 2024. The DKMS Foundation grant, which is part of the Programme for the Development of Polish Transplantation and Patient Support, is aimed at non-governmental organisations working on behalf of patients fighting cancer and diseases of the haematopoietic system. This year, funds are awarded for initiatives and projects involving psychological support for haematological patients and their relatives. More about the initiative can be found at: https://www.dkms.pl/
Ms Anna Foundation - Psychotherapeutic Rehabilitation of Children with Cancer has been operating since 2014. The mission of the organisation is to support young people and young adults after cancer. We accompany young people (AYA survivors) on their way back to social life, showing that after cancer they can be active participants in it, functioning independently on a professional and personal level despite the long-term effects of the disease.
