‘Sognando Itaca’ takes off from Genoa, a project aimed at the psycho-social rehabilitation, mainly with sailing therapy, of patients with onco-haematological diseases. The initiative, in 8 stages along the Tyrrhenian Sea and presented today at the outdoor area of Rosso Pomodoro-Genova Porto Antico, is promoted by Ail on the occasion of the National Day for the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and is sponsored by: Navy ;Municipality of Genoa; Cones; Italian Sailing Federation; Naval League; Sport and Health and from Genoa 2024.
Born in 2006 as a sailing therapy project aimed at psychological rehabilitation and improving the quality of life of patients with blood cancers – explains a note – ‘Sognando Itaca’ has expanded this year and is transformed into a vehicle for the dissemination of importance of psycho-social rehabilitation activities in accompanying onco-haematological patients in their journey by offering, in addition to the great activity of sailing therapy, art therapy, assisted activities with animals, walking, Yoga and many other occupations in contact with the nature. Ail, the Italian Association against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, through ‘Sognando Itaca’, also intends to focus its attention on the now inseparable combination between environment and health, with the aim of knowing and understanding to prevent and promote health protection actions.
“Sailing therapy arouses extraordinary emotions in patients that they carry in their hearts for life, it is a moment of cultural and emotional growth – states Giuseppe Navoni, national vice president of Ail, president of Ail Brescia and Coordinator Sognando Itaca – Patients derive an extraordinary benefit . On the boat they are put at the helm taking command of the vessel, thus the usual roles with the healthcare personnel are reversed, the patient metaphorically takes over the helm of his own life too. The magical moments and emotions experienced during the voyage enrich everyone, even the crew and the other subjects involved on the other boats. Our desire is that the rehabilitation process in contact with nature continues even after the end of the Sognando Itaca initiative, that it continues throughout the year to carry out a rehabilitation process that is not only episodic, because the sea like nature, ‘art and physical activity help to rediscover contact with life’.
The hematological patient “is fragile but the sea has also become fragile – adds Navoni – Plastics are irreparably damaging our seas and our health, the issues of environment and health are now closely related. For Ail, which protects the health and care of the sick, it is a moral obligation to provide a reminder of environmental and nutritional education, making young people especially aware, because each of us can do something to avoid causing further damage to the environment around us ”.
The ‘Sognando Itaca’ boat, which left today from Genoa, plans, in the month of June, an 8-stage tour that embraces the Tyrrhenian Sea – tomorrow Viareggio, on the 6th Cagliari, on the 9th Palermo, on the 11th Reggio Calabria, on the 12th Cetraro , on the 13th Salerno – with expected arrival in Naples on the 14th. The initiative offers patients the opportunity to navigate accompanied by a multidisciplinary team. The real protagonists of the day were the patients who, thanks to the initiative, can experience the unique emotion of spending a day on the open sea. Sailing, in fact, due to the sensations it offers and the unique and evocative conditions in which it is practised, has a therapeutic function and contributes to strengthening the existing relationship between patients, doctors, psychologists and nutritionists who make up the crew together with the staff edge.
The initiative is part of the activities that the Ail and its 83 provincial sections are organizing on the occasion of the National Day for the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma on 21 June. The Day, placed under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and permanently established by the Council of Ministers, is dedicated to information on the latest scientific innovations in the treatment of blood cancers and on projects for improving the quality of life of patients. Ail institutional partner for the two-year period 2023-24 is UniCredit which supports the events promoted by the association at national and local level and contributes to developing assistance services at Ail accommodation homes and psychological support for patients and family members. ‘Sognando Itaca’ – concludes the note – was created with the unconditional contribution of Cotton Sound, Cbill, Gsk and Otsuka.
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