Annual Report 2006

44
Isreal Cancer Association
Annual Report 2006
Group went on a challenge cruise to the coast
of Holland accompanied by northern region
social worker Ariela Litvitz, Dr. Dan Eldad,
senior oncologist at Rambam Medical Center
in Haifa, and project volunteers Ayelet Chayat
and Yossi Sokolov. According to tradition, the
cruise is taken on an authentic sailing ship on
the northern sea off the charming coast of Holland.
The participants sailed the ship, put up the
sails, prepared food, cleaned and maintained
the deck, and toured the picturesque islands of
Holland. The journey was made possible thanks
to resources that were recruited for this purpose
by dedicated volunteers.
An additional Young Adults journey took place
in August 2006, preceded by meetings where
the entire group convened, including the escorts,
for bonding meetings and training as the
journey approached. For example: a cooking
workshop was held to forge a bond between
the members and taught initial rules of cooking
and joint collaboration. A social evening was held
with a performance delivered by David Broza.
A bonding trip was planned however its destination
was changed due to the war. 23 young
adults embarked on this journey, accompanied
by Dr. Shtemer, a journey physician from the
"Davidoff" Medical Center, Orit Shapira, central
region social worker, Mr. Ilan Lior, Mr. Yossi
Sokolov, Dr. Newton Yahalom, volunteers in
the group of escorts, and Shimrit Bar Ness
– a young adult who participated in groups and
activities since 2003 and currently volunteers
in the project. The journey was professionally
arranged, the young adults were divided into
work groups, cooked, cleaned and ran the ship.
There was cooperation between all the escorts
and joint decision making. Everyone participated
in the support groups which is very significant
in terms of staying on board as well. During the
week of the journey there were clear boundaries
of social activity and running the ship, a rigorous
framework and tremendous discipline in terms
of bonding (the group's coming full circle).
Ongoing Activity of Regional
Social Workers
Initial Material Assistance for
Cancer Patients
The initial material assistance activity for cancer
patients who were recently diagnosed with
the disease continued this year as well. The
assistance is usually provided until the community
and National Insurance services enter
the families' homes.
The activity is conducted in close collaboration
with the social committees operating on
a volunteer basis in the ICA branches spread
throughout the country. In some of the branches
the volunteers visit patients and personally offer
them support.
Central Region
In November social work students began their
internship at Bar-Ilan and Tel Aviv Universities.
The students are guided by social worker Orit
Shapira. As part of their yearly work, the students
will visit the homes of cancer patients in the community,
and will accompany and support them;
they will also prepare a group project.
On Hannuka, according to the tradition of the
Events Dept. of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality,
several hundred tickets to the Festigal were
donated for children who have cancer and
their families.
Northern Region
On the "Seventh Candle of Hannuka" children
with cancer and their families in Kiryon and Kiryat