Stacey Seaside

It’s February 15 but it is not just the day after Valentines.
Some of you will go off this post or you’ll keep reading
because you know,
you possess an awareness you would never wish on anyone.

February 15 is dedicated to International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

The global campaign focuses on childhood cancer and its difficulties.

The day also stresses the need for better support,

for children, adolescents, and their families as they battle this devastating disease.

Target Goal: 60 out of every 100 children survive

Every year, more than 400,000 children and adolescents below 20, are diagnosed with cancer. The rate of survival depends on the region.

The Target Goal of the WHO Global Childhood Cancer Initiative is to eliminate all pain and suffering of children fighting cancer and achieve at least 60 percent survival for all children diagnosed with cancer around the world by 2030. That goal means saving an additional one million children during the next few years.

Sucker punched

I speak through compassion and sensitivity for friends and family members who have had their children diagnosed with cancer. Neither I nor my children have ever had cancer. My words are filled with heart felt pain and wanting to do what I can to help.

Raising awareness and asking others to be more proactive in volunteering their time and energy to local programs is the best empathetic action I can take.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it creates an instant crisis for parents and other family members who love that child. An earthquake has sent waves of shock through the entire family as the shadow of threatened life–and the hopes and dreams that accompany that life are suddenly eradicated. Each family’s journey is unique, and seeking professional help and connecting with others who have been through similar experiences can provide valuable support.

And the good news today is that there is support here in Mykonos as well as in Greece.

Thanks to plenty of folks who are compassionate and generous.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, both parents and the child face a whirlwind of emotions. Although therapies and treatments have improved, we remind ourselves that cancer is not a death sentence with early detection and the right treatment. But sometimes it is.

Navigating the rollercoaster of emotions is multi-layered for both parent and patient.

Shock: The initial news of the diagnosis often leaves parents in a state of shock. It’s difficult to process that their child is facing a life-threatening illness.

Denial and Disbelief: Some parents find it hard to believe that this is happening. Denial and disbelief are normal reactions as they grapple with the reality of their child’s condition.

Fear and Anxiety: Having a child with cancer can feel like an uncontrollable crisis. Fear for their child’s well-being and anxiety about the future are common emotions.

Guilt: Parents may experience guilt, wondering if they could have done something differently to prevent the illness.

Sadness and Depression: The weight of the situation can lead to profound sadness and even clinical depression.

Anger: Anger at the situation, at fate, or even at themselves can arise.

Feeling Overwhelmed: The sheer amount of information, decisions, and responsibilities can be overwhelming for parents.

So how does the family — patient and family work through shock, denial, guilt, depression, anger and anxiety?

Awareness and support are the first steps in the road ahead that will be filled with treatment, therapy, surgery, and whatever else it takes to fight the disease. Support comes through communication, counselling and practical backup.

Counselling: Utilize social workers, counsellors, nurses, psychologists, and doctors. Lean on family members and friends for emotional support and practical assistance.

Self-Care: Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Prioritize rest, nutrition, and breaks.

Communication: Openly discuss fears and anxieties with the cancer treatment team. Talk to other parents who have faced similar challenges.

Understanding Treatment: Learn about the treatment plan, its impact on the child’s daily life, and how to communicate with your child and other family members about the diagnosis.

The Practical Battle

In Greece, when you live on an island in the Aegean or a remote mountain village in the Peloponnese, that emotional and logistics challenge of a cancer diagnosis for a child, as well as an adult, grows exponentially.

Medical services are minimal at best so any therapy or treatment means travel off the island and out of the village. Usually that requires time in Athens or Thessaloniki. For us islanders, a ferry boat ride of anywhere from 3 to 12 hours or a flight; for the villagers travel to treatment and therapy requires an overland trip by bus, train or car.

And then there is the accommodation factor as most people coming from the islands or the villages don’t have second homes in these major metropolises.

Big hearts help disruption, dishevelment

Now add to that the time, energy and financial burden of traveling to treatment and therapy. One parent travels with the child while the other remains as at home to continue working, tending to any other children and trying to carry on normally. The other parent is navigating the travel, stay and medical care of the patient and themselves as escort, guardian and nurse for the sick child.

Fortunately, Greeks have big hearts even if their public health care does not have deep pockets or better support systems in place.

Soulful Strength

On the ground in Mykonos, a decade ago, a handful of cancer patients saw they had no network of emotional or financial support, while living on one of the richest islands in Greece. They came together to found the Mykonos Cancer Association–Dynami Psychis (Strength of the Soul).

In Athens, two foundations were launched by selfless women to help parents navigate these challenges for parents who had nowhere else to go.

FLOGA–a flame to guide the way in darkness

Mary Trifonidis founded FLOGA. A personal friend and champion for paediatric cancer patients, she wanted to give back to the community. She travelled to the USA for treatment for her own child and found so much support that was non-existent in Greece, 40 odd years ago.

Since 1982, Floga (the flame) has been shining bright, keeping warm the children with cancer across Greece. Standing by the families, FLOGA fights for better medical, mental and social care for the children suffering from cancer. Floga will keep burning as long as there are children who need it.

Made up entirely of volunteers–the operation of a guest house is located next to Athens paediatric hospitals. The guest house accommodates for free the young oncology patients and their families who come from all over Greece, during the long periods of their treatment.

ELPIDA–hope

Marianna Vardinoyiannis of ELPIDA, easily one of the wealthiest women in Greece, has financed through her foundation both a hospital and accommodation center for children with cancer in Athens.

The cornerstone was laid in 2007 creating 14,000 square meters and five buildings as a model of the best in children’s oncology hospitals. The complex features the most modern infrastructure, the most advanced medical equipment, specialised and experienced medical and nursing staff and child-friendly spaces.

Emphasis was placed on its interior design, as a protective and nurturing element for paediatric patients. Filled with paintings and images of monuments and figures that are familiar to children, each of the buildings pays tribute to a different continent, each corner to a different country. The goal is for the children to be accompanied – on the difficult “journey” of treatment.

ELPIDA established a kindergarten, an elementary school, and a middle school in the Children’s Oncology Unit, so that children who are being treated can feel that their life is continuing normally, for the most part just like before, as will also be the case when they return home.

The facility created a psychosocial support department which looks into and resolves psychological, financial, and practical problems that sick children and their families face during the course of their treatment.

Dynami Psychis annual meeting this Sunday

The services and support provided through Dynami Psychis are sacred. For those who do not have the means, boat tickets are provided for travel as well as medical equipment, referrals and accommodation assistance through FLOGA, ELPIDA and private donations. Members of the board actively involved are volunteers giving their time and energy, and many times have been or are currently cancer patients themselves.

Stepping Up: Volunteers Needed

On Sunday, members of the Mykonos Cancer Association will gather for their annual meeting. Elections as well as annual reports were schedule but a change in the current board of directors will be delayed until October.

Finding new leadership has been difficult. Probably because those who have gone before have done such a wonderful job. They have offered free lectures on prevention and free testing and medical consultations and screening. These programs have helped catch conditions requiring treatment. Tirelessly raising funds and getting donations to get patients to Athens and bring professionals to the island has helped Mykonos residents immensely.

So for my local folks still reading,

if you haven’t joined the Mykonos Cancer Association

do it on Sunday.

Attend the meeting.

Saving the community requires community.

Donations: Cash is always useful

I am happy to say that this past year, my dear friends gifted more than 1200 euros to this worthy cause.

I requested no presents for my birthday but instead preferred contributions to the organization.

They were very generous. And I am grateful for their benevolence.

If you want to support the Mykonos Cancer Association financially

You can make a donation to the organization’s account:

Dynami Psychis

Σύλλογος καρκινοπαθών Μυκόνου 

ALPHA BANK IBAN GR32 0140 7940 7940 0200 2011 050

send them an email with the bank receipt: skar.myk@gmail.com

Hope to see you at the meeting Sunday where we can all do our part to create awareness and be part of the network of support!