"We are there for you": Zaporuka Foundation has created a guide for families with seriously ill children

When parents are faced with a child's cancer, their normal life changes. There is confusion, despair, and a desire to understand what to do next. How to support a child and not break down yourself? It is in response to these challenges that the Zaporuka Foundation has created the We Are There guidebook to help families feel supported at every stage of treatment and beyond.

It is symbolic that the publication was released in September, the month of childhood cancer awareness. This is the time when attention is drawn around the world to the problems of children facing cancer and their families.

The guide contains the necessary information, effective tips and reminders that will help the child's family from the moment of diagnosis to life after treatment.

The publication consists of four of the main sections:

1. The medical part is all about diagnosis, treatment of cancer in children and life after treatment;
2. Psychologist's advice on how to cope with emotions after the diagnosis, support the child, and maintain contacts with friends and school;
3. Legal advice - disability registration, state support, necessary documents;
4. Free accommodation during treatment is an opportunity for the family to live in the Dacha family home in Kyiv and Lviv.

 "The most difficult thing for the family of a seriously ill child is not only uncertainty and confusion, but also the fear of being alone with the disease. We created this guide as a kind of compass for parents. It will help them to find their way around, find the help they need and the strength to move on," says Natalia OnipkoChairman of the Board of Zaporuka Foundation.

The advisor is available at link 🙂.

Information on the availability of such a directory will be posted in medical and social structural units of the city of Lviv.

"The city is grateful to the Zaporuka Charitable Foundation for such an important initiative and great work. Unfortunately, we have many categories of people who need special treatment and love. Families struggling with a serious illness often do not have the time or opportunity to seek support and information. This guide will definitely be useful for many families. We hope that it will be read and used. We will place flyers with information about the guide in our St. Nicholas Children's Hospital, in city clinics and social protection departments, so that every family in need can have access to this knowledge. The charitable foundation is ready to continue working and creating similar publications for other categories of people," comments Valentina Bartoshik, Director of the Humanitarian Policy Department of the Lviv City Council.

We Are There for Families with Seriously Ill Children was created as part of the Home Away from Home project. As part of this initiative, the foundation's team provides comfort for families near hospitals in Lviv, as well as comprehensive support for patients and their families - psychological, legal, and social services.

The Home Away from Home project is implemented in cooperation with the 100 Percent Life Network Rivne and with the financial assistance of the European Union under the EU4CSOs Empower UA project. The contents of this news are the sole responsibility of Zaporuka Charitable Foundation and the 100 Percent Life Network and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.