During long-term treatment, oncologically ill children are forced to stay in the hospital, away from relatives or friends, they also have to give up playing in the open space. On April 29-05, 2023, the "Krwinka" Foundation for Children with Cancer Diseases once again organized a “Rodzinna Majówka”, attended by the charges during and after treatment, as well as their parents and siblings.
During the four-day trip, all participants took part in various integration games in the open air, created unique art works, participated in a demanding field game or had a chance to test their sports skills. There were also moments spent together by the fire or singing your favorite songs as part of the concert karaoke evening.
Participants of the “Rodzinna Majówka” were also visited by special guests: members of the Brotherhood MC Poland Chapter Łódź motorcycle club, who provided many attractions during the visit, i.e. rides on various types of motorcycles. Thanks to conversations with motorcycle experts, ill children and their siblings discovered a new hobby, learning the secrets of motorization.
The trip was also an important therapeutic aspect for parents who very often forget about their needs due to their child's illness, focusing all their attention on the treatment of their children. Therefore, there were classes addressed to carers led by a psychologist, thanks to which they learned how to deal with stress or trained mindfulness.
The psychophysical condition of parents is very important in the treatment of children, which is why special support groups are organized during each trip, as well as individual sessions for parents. During this time, children take part in classes with an animator, which means that they learn to be independent at the same time, and develop the ability to cooperate, which sometimes disappear during a long stay in the hospital.
-In just a few days, we are able to notice the changes in the behavior of children and parents. Often at first they are closed, distant, lack self-confidence, and after a few joint activities they open up again to the world and the people around them who have been united by a common experience. We are touched when we see smiling children and grateful parents. This shows that the trip strengthened their relations, and also gave a lot of understanding and priceless hope for the future time of therapy - says Dominika Śliwińska, director of the "Krwinka" Foundation.
The “Rodzinna Majówka” could not take place without the great attitudes of donors and people with great hearts and the commitment of volunteers. Special thanks are addressed to: the Student Dormitories Complex of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Rogów, the Nature and Forest Education Center in Rogów, the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Łódź, members of the motorcycle club Brotherhood MC Poland Chapter Łódź, Mrs. Jolanta Smulska, the owner of the "Magnolia" Restaurant.
