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Survivors
Last update on: 01/20/2009
In the framework of the Austrian Children's Cancer Aid the so-called Survivors have formed their own platform and initiative group. All members suffered from the disease within childhood or adolescence.
Many former children's cancer patients have the desire to get into contact with other peers affected and to share experiences. Amongst survivors manifold topics and questions can be spoken out loud freely and without bias. Here the young adults are not met with the usual pity; yet neither are there any inhibitions to contradict them.
Aims
- Point of contact for wishes and desires of youths with cancer. Many adolescents do not dare to pose their questions or requests openly in hospital, for example that nursing staff should knock before entering, that adolescent males prefer being taken care of by male nursing staff, etc. Sometimes it is easier to discuss these topics in front of other peers and patients.
- Platform for former young cancer patients through tips and information for medical and psychosocial effects of the disease, as well as addresses of competent medical professionals and psychologists, points of contact for medical professionals or information for governmental concerns.
- Representation of interests and lobby for former children's cancer patients. This way support should be offered during job search and official channels (keyword driving license)
- Community of interests, in which time and space is offered to cope with experiences and the consequences of the disease. The disease, the treatment respectively, leaves numerous former patients with minor or heavy longterm effects and thus generate several questions.
- Work-groups for special projects, for example the supervision of adolescents with cancer in hospitals, as it already occurs within some European and North American countries.
International Survivors
The ICCCPO – "International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations" – was established in 1994 in Spain and is a world-wide network by parent organisations for children and adolescents with cancer. The first ICCCPO Survivor meeting occurred in 2001 in Luxembourg, with the aim of a world-wide networked communication of former children's cancer patients.
