From 13 June 2022, patient advocacy organisations can submit projects in the area of psychological support for haematological patients in the pilot edition of the DKMS Foundation Grant. Grants can be applied for in two categories - psychological support for young and young patients and support for adult patients. The highest amount an organisation participating in the programme can receive is PLN 80,000. The total amount of grants in this edition is PLN 350,000. Applications can be submitted until 31 July this year.
The DKMS Foundation grant was created as part of the Programme for the Development of Polish Transplantation and Patient Support, which has been implemented by the Foundation since 2018. Its aim is to improve the conditions and quality of treatment for patients fighting cancer and diseases of the haematopoietic system. The aim of the Grant itself this year is, among other things, to provide psychological support to haematological patients and their relatives during the treatment and recovery process. The support will be addressed both to patients in transplant clinics and haematology wards throughout Poland and at home, during and after treatment.
Support through Grant
Through the Programme for the Development of Polish Transplantology and Patient Support, which we have been implementing since 2018, we aim to contribute to improving the comprehensive specialist care of haematology patients -. says Ewa Magnucka-Bowkiewicz, DKMS Foundation President. - Diagnosis and an individual treatment plan are the obvious basics, but so-called services supporting the therapeutic process such as working with a dietician, psycho-oncological care or physical rehabilitation are extremely important elements supporting treatment and significantly improving patients' quality of life. As a Foundation, we look forward to working with other organisations within the framework of the Grant. We believe that together we can make a difference to the treatment and the lives of patients. adds Ewa Magnucka-Bowkiewicz.
DKMS Foundation grants will be awarded for initiatives and projects involving psychological support for haematological patients falling within the areas of preparing workshops and training, funding of specialist psychologists and psychological counselling centres for patients, and other activities for the psychological care of patients and their relatives.
Non-governmental organisations working for the benefit of patients fighting cancer and diseases of the haematopoietic system: associations, foundations, public benefit institutions may apply for grants. Applications may be submitted in two categories - psychological support for young and young haematological patients (up to 18 years of age) and psychological support for adult haematological patients.
The primary criterion for the evaluation of applications will be their compatibility with the aim of the Grant initiative, which is to provide psychological support to patients in the process of their treatment and recovery, both those in clinics and haematology wards across Poland and those at home during and after treatment. The highest scores will be given to those projects that will have long-lasting effects for the benefit of patients' psychological well-being, promote education and psychological support, or address real and ongoing problems of access to a psychologist/psycho-oncologist for patients facing cancer or haematological disease and their relatives.
The role of psychological support
Psychological care of oncology patients is an area that requires special attention, and unfortunately haematology patients cannot count on comprehensive care in this area. Psycho-oncological rehabilitation is a real support for treatment and aims to help the patient learn to cope with the stress, crisis and changes that the disease brings. It is a process in which it is essential to build a relationship and trust between the Patient and the therapist. This, in turn, requires favourable conditions of time and premises, which at the moment, are not provided - admits Prof. Marzena Samardakiewicz, President of the Polish Psycho-oncology Association and member of the DKMS Foundation Grant Jury.
Psycho-oncologists are only available on a part-time basis in most facilities, and there are too many patients per specialist. The facilities are also inadequate - the lack of a separate office does not allow for good, supportive and reassuring work with the patient. It is also often the case that a psychologist is only involved when a patient is in a major crisis and requires urgent, emergency help. It is also not uncommon for psychological support to be left on the shoulders of volunteer psychologists who, despite their undoubted commitment and expertise, are constantly rotating and patients have no chance of working with one therapist on a long-term basis.
The DKMS Foundation's grant is precisely to improve this type of activity, supporting organisations that are close to patients, know their needs and can act efficiently, in consultation with the treatment centre and the patients themselves and their relatives.
More information about the DKMS Foundation Grant and the grant application form are available at www.dkms.pl/dotacja-fundacji-dkms.
About the DKMS Foundation
The mission of the DKMS Foundation is to find a donor for every patient in the world in need of a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. The Foundation has been operating in Poland since 2008 as a Bone Marrow Donor Centre based on the decision of the Minister of Health and as an independent public benefit organisation registered in the National Court Register (KRS) 0000318602. It is the largest Bone Marrow Donor Centre in Poland, where more than 1,800,000 donors have registered, 10,000 of whom (April 2022) have donated their haematopoietic stem cells or marrow to patients both in Poland and around the world, thus giving them a second chance at life. To become a potential donor, simply go to www.dkms.pl and order a registration package to take home. For more information about the DKMS Foundation and the Programme for the Development of Polish Transplantology and Patient Support: www.dkms.pl