Israel Cancer Association - Annual Report 2023

Israel Cancer Association // Annual Report 2023

social contribution of the activity. The project runs from September to June. MSW Dahlia Stern is the national coordinator of the project, which is supervised and professionally advised by the ICA’s regional social workers: Dana Rechavi-Heller , Central District, Miri Mor-Yosef , Southern District, Ariela Shouva , Northern District, who train and supervise the students throughout the year based on their area of residence. Linda Yadai aides them in the assignment and administrative process. Nationwide Counseling, Guidance and Support for Children with Brain Tumors The ICA neuro-psychological service focuses on child cancer patients with brain damage. Most cases involve children who were diagnosed with brain tumors, followed by neurosurgery along with chemotherapy and radiation. The purpose of this service is to help the recovering children reintegrate into family life, social scene and routine, even when the communication with the hospital is interrupted or is not regular due to the child's recovery. The service includes neuropsychological diagnoses, initial rehabilitative program, liaison to the educational institution, parental training, and therapy sessions for children, working with all sectors in Israel in a mindful approach to language and culture. This year, the service was expanded for children with leukemia who receive aggressive chemotherapy which affects brain development processes. About 60 children participated in the project during the year. Dr. Michelle Sadeh (PhD) , a rehabilitation psychologist specializing in neuro-psycho-oncology, who coordinates this service along with two rehabilitation psychology interns and two psychology students. The service is recognized by the Ministry of Health for specialization in rehabilitation psychology. This service runs at Strong Together support centers in Givatayim, Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, in

collaborations with medical centers across the country with pediatric oncology units. ‘A Computer for Every Child’ Project Every school year, the Israel Cancer Association provides dozens of laptop computers to children (aged nine and above) with cancer, who don't have a computer at home and whose family cannot afford to buy one. The computers are distributed all across Israel, allowing children to play, study, and stay in touch with their friends and teachers even when they are sick and bed-ridden or receiving treatment at the hospital. In 2022, 55 laptops were distributed to child cancer patients. David Moss-Rendel , the ICA’s Computer Department Director and his computer department team, aided with the computers’ installation. Avner David , the ICA’s Maintenance Director, helped distribute the computers across the country. This program is made possible by the Avigdor Ben Eliezer Memorial Fund and the Issar Fishel Memorial Fund . The project is coordinated by Mali Weinbach , Administrative Director of the ICA Rehabilitation and Support Department. Fun-Filled Days, Performances The ICA runs activities for children with cancer or children who have a parent coping with cancer, such as amusement parks, various live performances and more. The activities are coordinated by Limor Shraga , the ICA’s Rehabilitation and Support Department and ‘Yad Lehachlama®’ Coordinator. This year, due to class actions, the ICA received entry tickets for children with cancer and their families for Meymadion Water Park in Tel Aviv and Shefayim Water Park in kibbutz Shefayim. and Activities for Children with Cancer and Children whose Parent Has Cancer

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