During the summer months, Refrakční centrum Praha organized a special charity event. For every patient operated on in July and August, 1,000 CZK was donated to the civil association called Sluneční paprsek, the organizer of holiday stays combined with medical care for children with oncological or other serious diseases and for children growing up in children's homes.
Sluneční paprsek was founded in 2009 by the renowned pediatrician and oncologist Pavel Boček MD with his friends and colleagues. The Sluneční paprsek civic association is the result of their long-lasting, invincible effort to help children suffering from oncological or other serious diseases - children whose childhood was not happy at all. Surgeries, irradiation, chemotherapy, hospital treatment, followed with frequent medical checks... Little patients have availed of top-quality specialized treatment but the maximum quality of their lives after the treatment is very important, too. Sluneční paprsek organizes holiday stays with medical care at seaside localities for children after hemato-oncological disease, for children suffering from serious chronic disease and for children with somatic or psychosocial handicaps who are not covered by traditional programmes organized by health insurance companies or foundations. The group of child recipients is extended by children growing in children's homes, who would not normally have a chance to enjoy a holiday at the sea either. The children are chaperoned by a team of experienced physicians, nurses and physiotherapists, who work without pay, as volunteers. During the stay, children are provided with professional and targeted health and rehabilitation care, completed with psycho-social support - in a way, it is a natural back-view. The presence of the children from children's homes contributes to this activity with additional dimensions - children with suffering souls get to know children suffering from physical diseases, and new friendships are established, which otherwise would hardly be possible.
"I believe that - also due to the donation by Refrakční Centrum - next year we will again succeed in sending children for a sunny seaside holiday on the Turkish Riviera. We plan two-week stays for two groups of children – approximately 100 children aged from 9 to 16 in order to improve their health and their psychosocial adaptation," says the founder of the Sluneční paprsek civic association, Pavel Boček MD, who accepted our invitation for a short interview.
Let's speak in more detail about this year's stays; it was the first time that you were able to organize the stay for two consecutive groups. Provided that enough money is collected, do you plan to take another group in the future, or is the capacity somehow limited – with regard to the demands for top professional care that is provided to the children?
It was already mentioned that - like this year, we would like to organize the stay for two consecutive groups in the year 2012 again. It would be a great success for us anyway. It is always difficult to provide well-qualified chaperones - physicians, nurses, physiotherapists. They all work without pay. Fortunately, we are able to extend the group of people with the professional competences who support this project.
Does it mean that, for the future, you plan to support other activities too designed for children with oncological disease?
Yes, we would like to support various adaptation programmes, mainly short-term recovery stays in the Czech Republic as well as the individual care provided in the families.
How many children have already participated in the seaside holidays organized by Sluneční paprsek?
For the two years of our activities, it was over 150 children.
What criteria do you use when selecting the children for the holiday stay with health care?
The fundamental criterion is the history of oncological disease or other serious chronic disease, combined with the assumption that the seaside holiday would be helpful for this child in terms of somatic and psychosocial aspects, which would improve his/her health.
Why do you focus in particular on children after oncological treatment and children from children's homes?
I have been working with oncologic children since 1986, and I have been travelling with them for the holiday with health care since 1993. I am convinced that these holiday stays make sense, and it is confirmed by the feedback from the children and their parents as well. The children from children's homes were included in this project by chance, in fact, but their presence proved to be a very good choice. A very special synergy is formed between them and the children with a history of oncological disease - new, truly valuable friendships are being established.
What are the results and the effects of a stay at the sea for the children?
Improvements in their physical fitness, improvements in numerous somatic and psychosocial aspects. The progress is very individual, and often rather extraordinary. I remember, for example, a boy with a brain tumour, who significantly improved his walking skills, basic care of himself, etc.
Have you been successful in meeting the targets and the expectations you and your friends and colleagues had when you established Sluneční paprsek in 2009?
Yes, I am glad that the project has been received positively not only by those for whom it is designed but by the general public, sponsors, partners, etc. as well. I, personally, am really glad that we decided to establish the civic association, and that we at Sluneční paprsek are able to conjure a smile and happy feelings in children whose lives are not very happy.
