Virtual survivors’ meetings
The topic of childhood cancer and its late effects is difficult to reconcile with everyday life and is something that is not easy to discuss. This is why Childhood Cancer Switzerland regularly offers low-threshold networking and information opportunities for survivors. These meetings are an ideal opportunity to informally exchange ideas and get to know other survivors. The protected setting makes it possible to openly address important topics related to survivorship and beyond.
The specialist unit creates a new format for survivors’ meetings
In 2020, due to the pandemic, the meetings in German-speaking Switzerland were held purely virtually for the first time. They served as a welcome change from the daily lockdown and the limited personal contact due to the social distancing measures. The focus of the three events was on interactive online activities for the 29 participants. The shared experiences in the Escape Room, solving a mystery case and making Christmas cards provided a lot of entertainment and intensive exchange. The feedback was very positive and even though the desire for physical meetings remains strong, these virtual offers were an important alternative. Thanks to our member organisation ARFEC, two events were also held in French-speaking Switzerland, so that five survivors’ meetings could be held throughout Switzerland despite the difficult conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.