Setting sail is more than just an activity; it’s an immersive experience that can foster both physical and mental resilience. The unique demands of sailing-cooperating with a crew, adhering to navigational rules, and embracing the challenges of the sea-contribute to a profound sense of empowerment.

The Healing Power of Holistic Care

Traditional medical approaches frequently enough focus solely on treating the illness itself. However, experts increasingly recognize the importance of addressing the psycho-relational aspects of patient care, particularly for those battling oncological diseases.Psycho-social interventions that bolster self-esteem are crucial for enhancing the quality of life.

It is indeed widely recognized by numerous studies and clinical experience that to promote the well being of patients in general, and oncological ones in particular, it is not enough to take care of the illness but it is essential to also take into account the psycho-relational aspect. For this it is also necesary to adopt psycho-social approaches that feed self-esteem.

Giuliana Gemelli,a professor at the University of Bologna and president of the Grande for the humanization of the treatment in the blood-oncological field Foundation,champions projects that improve the living conditions of patients,especially young adults undergoing treatment. These initiatives include sports like horse riding and sailing, and also creative workshops in art, music, and writing.

“We Win Life”: A Testament to Humanization of Care

Professor Gemelli, along with armilologist Francesco Lanza, co-edited the book We Win Life, which explores the humanization of care and its impact on the quality of life for patients. The book is available for free download as a PDF from Baskerville publishing house.

The book delves into the experiences of women,some of whom are or have been oncological patients,who embarked on a sailing adventure to Caprera,a rugged island known for its challenging waters. Skipper Lello Sansone reflects on their motivations:

What a group of donne who are or have been oncological patients, to live an adventure in a wild island like Caprera? What pushes them to attend one school among the most hard sea in the Mediterranean? Maybe unconsciousness? Of course, maybe that’s there.
Lello Sansone,Skipper

sansone notes the overwhelming response to the “Patients on Board” project,organized by psychologists from Milan. Despite limited availability,the program received a flood of applications,revealing a deep-seated desire for change among the participants.

In less than a week, more requests for participation arrived in the face of an availability of only one hundred and fifty places…Motivations that had a common root emerged from the interviews made for admission: hope in a change of life. All were available to face an experience that, simultaneously occurring, fascinated them and frightened them.
Lello sansone, Skipper

Harnessing Nature’s Regenerative Power

Integrating nature into the healing process is increasingly recognized for its ability to foster inner regeneration.Sports like sailing and horse riding are central to the Grande Jun Foundation’s activities.

Sport as a sailing and horse riding in particular they are among the main activities promoted by our Foundation…The sail, for example, responds to all vital inputs, uncertainty and sense of risk included, which represent the challenges of life that in case of illness are felt more pressing. Perhaps because of this very reason, when proposed, the experience of the sailboat finds such a wide consensus.
Giuliana Gemelli, Professor at the University of Bologna and president of the Grande for the humanization of the treatment in the blood-oncological field Foundation

functional Sailing: A Therapeutic Voyage

The grande Down Foundation has pioneered innovative approaches that combine medical, humanistic, relational, and psycho-social skills with the practice of sailing. This initiative, termed “functional sailing,” distinguishes itself from recreational sailing by emphasizing training, skill acquisition, and heightened awareness of both the natural habitat and fellow crew members.

The association has put together a team of therapists, led by the good wind of sharing and an extraordinary skipper, who is also a brilliant technician and a skilled director.Thanks also to the constant collaboration of a psychologist with a great experience in the field of oncological patients – and with the support of the Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital of Ravenna and of the Amatologist Francesco Lanza we managed to activate various paths of sailerapy more precisely than functional sail.
Giuliana Gemelli, Professor at the University of Bologna and president of the Grande for the humanization of the treatment in the blood-oncological field Foundation

Professor Gemelli emphasizes that functional sailing offers a comprehensive experience for all participants, fostering personal growth and promoting empathy between doctors and patients.

We have chosen this terminology to distinguish our path and our purposes from the so -called veley that have the main purpose of fun and the ability to relax. The sailors who choose to make use of a functional sailing path live a full immersion experience which is also training, acquisition of skills and attention to the natural context, but also to other adventure companions. an experience in all respects is revealed for those who take part in you, sick and not. The activities of our Foundation, in fact, never get tired of underlining that the humanization of care to be such must include the rebirth of a relationship of dialog, collaboration and empathy between doctor and patient.
Giuliana Gemelli, Professor at the University of Bologna and president of the Grande for the humanization of the treatment in the blood-oncological field foundation