Reports on Supporting 100 Cancer Patients in Casablanca

Project Report | Apr 17, 2025
Rapport Dar Zhor, support for cancer patients

By Beatrice Beloubad | Project Leader

Activity Report – Last 6 Months

Period: October 2024 – March 2025

The Dar Zhor Association has continued its strong commitment to supporting cancer patients through awareness-raising, early screening initiatives, educational workshops, and holistic care programs.

1. Awareness Campaigns

During the 4th quarter of 2024, three major national campaigns were launched:

Pink October: focused on breast cancer
Blue November: focused on lung cancer
December: dedicated to prostate cancer

Key Actions:

Massive digital campaigns on social media reaching over 12 million views
Production and dissemination of educational video capsules by medical specialists on risk factors, symptoms, early detection, and treatment options
Community outreach reaching 300 people in vulnerable situations
200 free mammograms offered in collaboration with medical partners

These campaigns significantly strengthened the association’s visibility and led to a notable increase in new beneficiaries:

50 new beneficiaries in Q4 2024
60 new beneficiaries in Q1 2025, 10% of whom are men

2. Educational Medical Workshops

As part of our therapeutic education program, several informative workshops were offered:

Radiotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Oncogenetics

Each session welcomed over 50 participants, providing a space to engage directly with healthcare professionals and address their concerns.

3. Support for Ostomized Patients

Dar Zhor continues to provide dedicated support to ostomized individuals:

Peer-led workshops by a patient-partner focused on practical management and emotional support
Donations of ostomy bags, accessories, and essential medical supplies

4. Major Community Event

On November 10th, 2024, Dar Zhor organized the 1st Edition of the Solidarity Walk/Run:

Objective: Promote physical activity as a key component in the prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer
Over 650 participants joined the event
The event highlighted the voices of survivors, who shared their journeys to emphasize that early detection saves lives

5. Looking Ahead

The association remains mobilized and continues to evolve to meet patient needs:

The upcoming opening of a new Dar Zhor branch in Marrakech (planned for Q2 2025)
Ongoing recruitment of volunteer specialists to further expand our supportive care offering

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Dec 18, 2024
Report Association Dar Zhor 2024

By Beatrice Beloubad | Project Leader

Art Therapy

Dar Zhor Association’s End-of-Year Report 2024

Introduction
The year 2024 was marked by numerous initiatives and innovations for the Dar Zhor Association. Thanks to the commitment of its team of 40 expert volunteers, its permanent staff, and the support of its partners, Dar Zhor continues to play a key role in improving the quality of life for cancer patients living in precarious conditions in Casablanca.

Key Achievements in 2024

Total Number of Workshops and Intervention Hours
- Workshops organized: 492
- Intervention hours: 853
Beneficiaries
- New beneficiaries in 2024: 214
Beneficiary Transportation
- Transportation cards distributed: 132, with monthly support of approximately $20 per beneficiary.
- Enhanced process to assess beneficiaries’ motivation before granting transportation cards.
Impact Study
- Interviews conducted: 164 beneficiaries (2023 and 2024).
- Initiated interviews with caregivers to assess the family impact of the illness.
- Quantitative report: Scheduled for January 2025.
- Final report: Scheduled for May 2025.

Activity Details by Category

Nutrition and Cooking Workshops
- Cooking workshops: 8 sessions, 50 beneficiaries.
- Nutrition groups: 3 groups, 32 beneficiaries.
- Individual nutrition counseling: 14 sessions for 14 beneficiaries.
Onco-Aesthetic Services
- Total sessions: 31
- Beneficiaries: 76
- Makeup workshops: 4 sessions, 31 participants.
Sports and Wellness Activities
The therapeutic sports offering expanded to 10 disciplines. Results by activity include:
- Shin Taido: 10 workshops, 80 beneficiaries.
- Tai Chi: 16 workshops, 144 participants.
- Chi Qong: 16 workshops, 160 beneficiaries.
- Breathing Yoga: 21 workshops, 210 beneficiaries.
- Yoga: 12 workshops, 72 participants.
- Ten-Shi Tessen: 14 workshops, 112 participants.
- Laughter Yoga: 19 workshops, 228 participants.
- Dance Therapy: 3 workshops, 19 participants.
- Yoga for Men: 7 workshops, 42 participants.
- Restorative Yoga: 2 workshops, 12 participants.
Art Therapy Workshops
- Total workshops organized: 18
- Participants: 138

Innovations and New Initiatives

Introduction of New Workshops
- Caregiver workshops: 4 sessions, 21 participants.
- Additional therapies: Dance therapy, yoga for men, music therapy.
Team Strengthening
- Integrated two new volunteer nutritionists to lead nutrition and cooking workshops.
Development of Supportive Care
- Increased diversity in activities.

Impact of Actions

Improved Quality of Life
- Reduced stress and better management of treatment side effects through activities.
- Genuine engagement from beneficiaries in the impact study.
Enhanced Visibility
- Recruited a project manager with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry to improve visibility and relationships with specialist doctors.
- Implemented a targeted awareness strategy for public and private healthcare providers to direct patients toward the association and recommend participation in supportive care programs.

Challenges for 2025

Increase in Beneficiaries
- Goal: Welcome 30 new beneficiaries per month.
- Develop a targeted communication strategy and partnerships with healthcare professionals.
Improved Activity Regularity and Monitoring
- Ensure each beneficiary regularly follows the program defined upon integration.
- Address patient constraints related to treatment (fatigue, surgery, chemotherapy).
Optimization of End-of-Care Process
- Establish a clear protocol for post-care follow-up after one year.
Strengthening Financial Partnerships
- Develop long-term collaborations to ensure financial stability.
Acquisition of a Larger Facility
- Request support from local authorities for a space better suited to the increased number of activities and beneficiaries.
Enhancing Public Awareness
- Educate the public and healthcare professionals about the impact of supportive care on patients’ quality of life.

Next Steps for 2025

Finalization and publication of quantitative and qualitative impact reports, followed by communication on the findings.
Continuation of awareness efforts, particularly within medical settings.
Exploration of new therapies and initiatives to expand the association’s impact.

Conclusion
Despite the challenges faced, 2024 marked significant progress in Dar Zhor’s efforts to provide tailored supportive care to cancer patients. With a strengthened team, strategic partnerships, and constant innovations, Dar Zhor remains committed to improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

Tenchi Tessen

Nutrition and cooking

Restorative Yoga

Breathing Yoga

Qi Gong

Dance Therapy

Links:

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Aug 20, 2024
Dar zhor report on supporting cancer patient

By Beatrice Beloubad | Fundraising Director

Project Progress and Activities

Over the past six months, the project has expanded its services to meet the growing needs of the patients. The number of activities offered by the association increased to 32, surpassing the total number of activities in 2023. These activities included cooking workshops, onco-aesthetic care sessions, and a variety of sports therapies, which were tailored to improve the physical and emotional well-being of the participants.

Cooking Workshops:

Five cooking workshops were conducted, benefiting 28 participants. These sessions were led by specialists in nutrition and dietetics, ensuring that participants received expert guidance on healthy eating practices tailored to their needs. Despite challenges in regularly mobilizing these specialists, the workshops provided essential knowledge and practical skills to improve the participants' quality of life.

Onco-Aesthetic Care:

Fifty women benefited from onco-aesthetic care sessions aimed at enhancing their self-image and boosting self-confidence. This care was crucial in helping them cope with the psychological impact of cancer and its treatment, contributing to their overall well-being.

Sports Therapies:

The project introduced eight different sports activities, with a total of 443 beneficiary participations. These activities included Shin Tai Do, a sport tailored specifically for men, along with other forms of physical therapy. The sports sessions were highly popular among the beneficiaries and played a significant role in improving their physical health and mental resilience.

Beneficiary Engagement and Community Impact

The project also focused on increasing the visibility of the Dar Zhor Association and attracting new beneficiaries. Information visits were organized to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and the local community about the free services offered by the association. This initiative led to an increase in the number of new beneficiaries, with 114 new individuals joining the association in the first semester of 2024, compared to 148 for the entire year of 2023.

The association's efforts to enhance community engagement were further supported by the creation of communication tools, including an 11-minute documentary highlighting the importance of supportive care for cancer patients. This documentary was shared at medical conferences and on fundraising platforms to increase awareness and support for the project.

Challenges and Adaptations

While the project made substantial progress, it also faced challenges that required adaptive strategies. The main challenges included delays in the implementation of transportation services for beneficiaries and the complexity of coordinating specialized workshops. Despite these obstacles, the project team remained committed to delivering high-quality care and support to all beneficiaries.

Conclusion

The "Support for 100 Cancer Patients" project is on track to achieve its goals, with significant advancements made in the first half of 2024. The Dar Zhor Association has successfully expanded its activities and reached more beneficiaries, demonstrating its effectiveness in providing critical supportive care to cancer patients living in poverty. Moving forward, the association will continue to build on this progress, ensuring that all patients receive the care and support they need to improve their quality of life.

This narrative report reflects the ongoing commitment of the Dar Zhor Association to its mission and the positive impact it has had on the lives of cancer patients in Casablanca.

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