Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2023

Israel Cancer Association // Annual Report 2023

The professional authority in charge of the ‘Steps to a Healthy Life®’ project and ICA advisor on a voluntary basis is Prof. Naama Constantini , an expert in family and sports medicine and Director of the Sports Medicine Center, Shaare Tzedek Medical Center. ICA 'Survivors Towards a Healthy Life' ® Workshops This workshop includes six sessions aimed at improving survivors and their families' quality of life, guide them in adopting healthy habits and support them in returning to a full, active life. The activity is designed for patients, survivors and their families, and is free of charge. The workshop includes lectures on the following topics: • Coping with side effects of the oncology treatments • Proper diet after coping with cancer • Intimacy and sexuality • A hands-on make up and beauty treatment workshop by 'Look Good, Feel Better'® project • The effects of chemotherapy on memory • Emotional resilience when coping with cancer 'Survivors Towards a Healthy Life'® workshops are run by MSW Orit Spira , Director of the Rehabilitation and Support Department at the Israel Cancer Association, with the help of the ICA’s regional social workers.

The Israel Cancer Association does sacred work! You are wonderful! I give donations regularly, not just during your campaigns. Each time I arrive for treatment at Assuta, I meet your volunteer beautician, Malka, who always pampers me. (Hani) ICA 'Steps to a Healthy Life' ® Project 'Steps to a Healthy Life'® project has been operating nationally since 2007. Its goal is to expose people who have suffered from cancer – adults, children, and their loved ones – the health benefits of physical activity, to encourage structured physical activity as part of one’s everyday routine, and to provide professional advice to those who opt to participate in the project. The program includes group training by licensed physiotherapists. The program runs in the oncology and hematology array of 19 medical centers across Israel, as well as in some gyno-oncology and radiation departments, and about 10,000 patients participated in it to date. Barzilai Medical Center runs a special aquatic activity in the rehabilitation center. The ‘Steps to a Healthy Life’® project is managed and run by MSW Orit Spira , the ICA Rehabilitation and Support Department Director, RN Rina Dikhel , an oncology nurse and clinical expert in palliative care at the ICA, and RN Livia Kislev , Head Nurse of the ICA.

Activities for Children and Adolescents with Cancer 'Hope for Life Project' ® – Completing Schoolwork

The 'Hope for Life'® project commences every year in July. The ICA’s social workers maintain ongoing contact with the families and children, who cannot attend school regularly due to their condition, in order to make sure they have a supportive environment and can go back to school when the time is right. Some 100 students from all over Israel are active in the project, helping these children catch up with schoolwork, so that upon returning to school,

The project pairs mentors with the appropriate skills, who have undergone special training, with young cancer patients who are often absent from school because of their disease. The tutors help the children stay on track with the curriculum being taught at school. The project’s main goal is to ensure that these children do not fall behind because of their disease.

30