Annual Report 2006

42
Isreal Cancer Association
Annual Report 2006
"Impact for the Community" project has completed
its second year of activity. This year
about 90 students volunteered on a nationwide
basis, and there was a significant increase in the
number of participants as opposed to last year.
In addition to the ongoing accompaniment of
the Project Coordinator, there are several group
meetings held, a meeting in each region, where
a "stage" is given to each student to recount the
nature of his/her activity and to share unique
experiences with the group, difficulties encountered,
hesitations, pleasure gained as well as
satisfaction. The professional staff provided
the students with tools towards the anticipated
parting of ways between the students and the
children they work with. Some of the students
expressed their desire to continue working in
the project next year as well (for some this will
be their third year) and the warm responses
from the field emphasize the great significance
of this vital project.
The Carriage Theater Staged a
Theater Festival with Children
who have Cancer Participating
The Carriage Theater Project, which has been
operating for the past four years in Jerusalem
with funding from the ICA, enables child cancer
patients treated at the Hadassah Medical
Center Ein Karem to participate in plays and
acting lessons along with their families, healthy
classmates, and children suffering from other
difficult diseases. At the end of November 2005,
the project launched a unique festival, directed
by family members, teachers and kindergarten
teachers of child cancer patients and with the
artistic consulting of Director Erez Meshulam:
"Transparent Circles of Power", with the
participation of child cancer patients undergoing
treatment and child cancer survivors, who
were partners in the project during their illness
and hospitalization. The event sought to have
children who recovered and families who
returned to their normal routine give strength
and hope to new families and children coping
with the disease. Additionally, a special meeting
took place as part of the event, in which Jewish
and Arab families together on the same stage
lent a hand for full recovery and productive cooperation
in the future. The festival took place
at Heichal Hatarbut in Givat Ze'ev Jersualem,
and admission was free of charge.
"Give Kids the World" dedicated
to Miri Shitrit of blessed memory
As part of this project, the ICA finances a special
vacation for children who are terminally ill – a trip
which is one week of sheer pleasure, at the "Give
Kids the World" Children’s Village in Orlando,
Florida. During the vacation at the village, each
family receives a vehicle and entrance to various
parks, such as: Disney World, SeaWorld
and others. The trip aims to distance the family
from the hospital setting and the routine of the
disease, and plunge them into a world that is
made of magic, joy and hope. The project has
been running for over 12 years. Social workers
on staff at various Children's Wards in medical
centers throughout the country refer the families
to join the trip. By virtue of a special foundation
established by Minister Meir Shitrit and his
wife Ruthi, in memory of their daughter, Miri
of blessed memory, the ICA finances the trip
and stay of parents and family members aged
5 to 18, and also allows for an additional escort
or translator for the trip as required.
Hope For Life
The ‘Hope For Life’ project for pupils in the
education system continued this year. Students
assist hundreds of children who have cancer