Belén Diosdado, one of the project members, has found basketball to be a crucial tool in overcoming Hodgkin's lymphoma. This joint initiative by the Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO) and the Federació Catalana de Basquetbol (FCBQ) focuses on improving the quality of life for young patients through adapted physical activity.
“"Besides being a physical activity and training the body a bit, you also meet similar people, individuals who have gone through situations similar to mine; it becomes a support and a motivation to carry out the activity."
Mireia Daura, physiotherapist at the ICO, highlighted the great appeal of basketball as a collective sport that fosters group cohesion and provides many values. The sessions, held twice a month for one hour each, focus on learning basic rules and movements to improve the participants' strength, endurance, and agility.
“"There are people in treatment, people in follow-up, people who have just received the news that they have a relapse."
The program debuted at the Poliesportiu del Gornal and is adapted to participants at different stages of the disease. Ferran Aril, president of the FCBQ, expressed his hope that this pilot project will consolidate and expand to other hospital centers. Organizers expect to extend the project soon to cities like Badalona, Girona, and Tarragona.
