The OrchiDee: women who tackle illness by helping others
The charity, based in Macerata, focuses on improving the quality of life for those with breast cancer
Key points
‘We firmly believe that a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved, and a joy shared is a joy doubled.’ These are the words of the women on the executive committee of the Le Orchidee Ets-Odv Association.
Maria, Beatrice, Angela, Roberta and Laura have gone through or are currently going through an experience of illness that has changed their lives, due to the pain and confusion that come with having to fight against breast cancer, but also because of the sense of solidarity, friendship and shared experience that has taken shape within the association.
The Odv was founded in 2019, with the support of Nicola Battelli, director of the Complex Oncology Unit at Macerata Hospital. At its core is the belief that the treatment pathway cannot be limited to medical protocols or surgical strategies, but requires holistic support, ranging from psychological support and friendship to help in coping with everyday life – children, family – and work.
The mission
The association’s key priorities are: prevention , information and raising awareness. The aim is to provide support to all women who have faced or are facing this illness, drawing on the solidarity of those who have gone through or are going through the same experience, with the aim of ensuring a better quality of life at an extremely difficult time for cancer patients and their families. ‘There have been many projects over the years,’ say the women on the executive committee, ‘all centred on the issues closest to the association’s heart: nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, reintegration into the world of work, psychological support, the protection of rights, relaxation, stress management, and personal and emotional well-being.
Focus on work
One of the most important projects is the reception service: the association provides a member of staff within the Oncology Department at Macerata Hospital to act as a reception service for all cancer patients and their families, thereby lightening the department’s workload (managing arrivals, mediating requests to doctors, and so on). Particular attention is paid to the wellbeing of female patients, with yoga classes, psychological support, consultations with a nutritionist, guidance on rights and leave entitlements, support from a sex therapist to help them cope with changes in their relationship, and assistance from oncology beauticians to help them continue to look after their appearance and physical wellbeing.
