On Varna NAWODTA initiative the first three-day training seminar of representatives of patients’ organizations of people with oncological diseases from all over the country was held.

With that purpose the Varna patients’ organization of people with oncological diseases developed and defended a project on the following theme: “Training and exchange of experience and good methods of the organizations in Bulgaria of people with oncological diseases”.

The project was approved and financed by “Lale” (Tulip) Foundation - Cooperating Netherlands Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe.

The seminar training took place in the city of Varna – “Aqua” hotel, from 20 January 2006 till 22.01.2006.

Main goal of the training:

Subgoals:

The exchange of experience in locally establishment of organizations (public relations, communication models-with patients, their relatives and families, models for public communications – with local authorities, with the media; attraction of voluntary partners, sponsors for financing of specific activity of the organization, of adherents.)

Representation of “Lale” (Tulip) Foundation – sponsor of the present project.

The following people were present:

• Dr. Milen Nedev – representative of Ministry of Public Health. He read his personal congratulation as well as an official letter on behalf of the deputy-minister Dr. Mateev, addressed to all participants in the seminar.
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Strashimir Karanov – National oncology consultant
• Deputy mayor of city of Varna  - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boris Kornovski
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stanka Marincheva – Director of  Department of Public health, city of Varna
• Dr. Mr. Ignatov – Director of the Oncological Dispanser, city of Varna
• Dr. Maya Bryukner – oncologic surgeon
• Dr. Irina Malina – psychotherapist

SCHEDULE

20 January 2006 Friday

by 3 p.m.

Putting up, checking in, receiving the set of materials, filling in a survey card.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Visit to the Home of People with Cancer, which is the first one established in Bulgaria.

Presentation of the activity of the Association of patients with cancer and their adherents - Varna.

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Informal cocktail meeting.

Introducing Lale (Tulip) Foundation – the organization financing the present training.

Presenting the project, topic and objectives of the workshop.

Presenting the participants. Announcing expectations, results from the survey cards with problem descriptions, opinions and proposals made by the participants.

21 January 2006 Saturday

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Opening of the workshop – welcoming speeches of the guests of honor.

Presenting the problems of people suffering from cancer from all over the country.

Patient Organizations’ work with newly ill people, their relatives and families.

Involving medical specialists as consultants for submitting current information concerning treatment of cancer diseases.

Cooperating with local authorities, public authorities and media.

Cooperating with volunteers.

12:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  – Lunch

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Discussions on the current problems of the organization.

6:00 p.m. – Formal Dinner

22 January 2006 Sunday

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  – Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Mini – training aiming at communication skills and skills for team work.

Plusses and deltas of the training.

1:00 p.m.

Closing of the workshop.