Family homes of mothers’ unions for children with cancer and their relatives opened in Vilnius Vida

The Mothers’ Union Family Home is located near Santara Children’s Hospital and is intended for children with serious cancer diseases and their families.

It is the first center of its kind in Lithuania, the project and concept of which are based on best examples and practices from the USA, Great Britain, Turkey, Ireland and other countries.

According to Eglė Mėlinauskienė, president of the Mothers’ Union Support Fund for Children with Cancer, this ambitious project has only been carried out thanks to good people.

“It would not even be enough to say how grateful I am to all who have contributed to making the idea of ​​helping children with cancer a reality in the way that they are being helped abroad, in the family home. When many people heard ago many years what we wanted to do, they turned their finger towards the incense, saying that it was impossible to do it ”, said E. Mėlinauskienly excited about the idea and its implementation during the inauguration.

According to her, the construction of the center for families of children with cancer was inspired by the experiences of families and children, which the foundation faced already in its first working days. Five-year-old Lukas, who was ill many years ago, and his family gave the project a special boost.

“It just came to our notice then. He is not among us. But he traveled while abroad, in the kind of home we see here today. When I asked the family what to do with the money raised for Luke’s treatment, his The family asked for the funds raised to build a family home in Lithuania so that children with cancer could spend as much time as possible with the family in an environment reminiscent of home.

The family home was consecrated by priest Vytautas Rapalis, who four years ago attended the burial of the capsule of hope and the start of construction. Regina Statkuvienė, Counselor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, welcomed the first guests together with E.Mėlinauskienė, President of the Foundation, and Justina Žukauskienė, Director of the Foundation. Tomas Grėbliauskas and Kamarowski.

Mamu unija started the construction of single-family homes in 2016. 2000 square meters. m center, and houses 11 apartments, swimming pool, rehabilitation and sports center, art therapy, game and reading rooms, information center, kitchen, laundry, other facilities for a comfortable and community life.

According to the representatives of the Mothers’ Union, these new homes do not seek to change the services provided by the children’s hospital or the functions of the doctors. It is a social alternative that allows families to spend more time together.

“It is symbolic that the opening of the Family House took place exactly four years later, when a capsule was expected to be buried in the village of Vanaginė, near Santariškės, on land bought especially for our Family House by our foundation, “said Eglė Mėlinauskienė, President of the Foundation for Charity and Support of the Union of Mothers. “We are delighted that this ambitious project, in which we strongly believe, has finally opened its doors and families are receiving the help they have been waiting for all these years.”

At the Mothers’ Union Family Home, parents will be able to learn about their child’s illness, the course of treatment, and treatment options abroad. In the apartment, the child will be able to live with her family during the examination and treatment of her illness. The family is allocated 42 m2. Area of ​​m Room – Wardrobe / closet with separate entrance and terrace. In the room – kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and shower, closet.

Families living in family homes will be cared for by volunteers and health professionals. All of this will cost the families nothing.

The funds needed for the project are 2.5 million. During these four years, Lithuanian individuals, companies and foundations abroad donated. The family housing project is financed exclusively with private funds.