Ruach Dromit
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Mission Statement
Ruach Dromit (Southern Wind) creates a supportive community and a nurturing environment for cancer patients and their families residing in the Negev region through the provision of alternative medicine therapies. The organization's underlying premise, which has been proven by research, is that holistic therapies are a powerful rehabilitation tool for cancer patients, and are highly beneficial for reducing stress, reinforcing psychological resilience, and strengthening coping abilities, thus facilitating recovery.
About This Cause
Ruach Dromit -Southern Wind creates a supportive community and an environment of healing and caring for cancer patients and their families residing in the Negev and across southern Israel, through the provision of complementary medicine therapies. The organization's underlying premise, which has been proven by research, is that holistic therapies are a powerful rehabilitation tool for cancer patients, and are highly beneficial for reducing stress, reinforcing psychological resilience, and strengthening coping abilities, thus facilitating recovery. We target all of those battling the disease. The holistic therapies are provided to patients, family members, and medical staff and take place in the Soroka Hospital Oncology Department; the Ruach Dromit Center located near the hospital and for homebound patients in their homes. All of the therapies are administered by our devoted team of volunteering certified therapists who undergo specialized training in cancer patient treatment. Our therapies are offered free of charge or for a very modest fee. Ruach Dromit provides over 6,500 essential treatment sessions a year. The number of cancer patients residing in the Negev today is 8,000 with 2,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Unfortunately, the Negev region suffers from a severe lack in alternative medicine and holistic care services for cancer patients. In fact, the residents of the Negev are faced with a host of demographic, geographical and financial challenges which affect their ability to access these treatments. These include the Negev's remote and peripheral location, sporadic dispersion of small communities and towns, the heterogeneous population comprised of new immigrants, veteran Israelis, Jews and Arabs, religious and secular inhabitants, and an overall low socio-economic status. Moreover, while the Kupot Holim (Israeli HMOs) offer patients some complementary treatments, they are provided on a small scale but do not target the specific needs of cancer patients and their families. Most families are unable to bear the elevated costs of private treatment services. As a result, many patients are prevented from receiving this crucial care. Today, Ruach Dromit remains the only organization which offers affordable and accessible alternative medical treatments to cancer patients and their families in the Negev region. We believe that every person has the right to receive appropriate treatment and extend our support to all those in need, regardless of their economic status, social sector, or religion, and we go beyond limits in order to reach every patient seeking holistic treatment in the Negev. It is important to note that our treatment plans correspond with each patient's conventional treatments and are developed in collaboration with the medical team in the hospital. The combination of conventional medicine and complementary medicine enables the optimal physical and mental environment for coping with the illness. Our Projects Ruach Dromit Center The Center was established in 2013 and offers holistic therapies to cancer patients, family members and medical staff. The center is a specially adapted treatment center located near Soroka Hospital with three treatment rooms and uniquely designed spaces for wellness and information sessions, training and relaxation therapy for patients. Additionally, we offer support groups for patients and their family members along with related events and information evenings. The Center is a hive of activity daily from early morning till late. During the past year, The Ruach Dromit Center received a significant refurbishment and upgrade. This renovation and improvement of the center will enable those dealing with cancer and their families all over the south, to receive their treatment in the most therapeutic, aesthetic, professional and comforting environment. Today the Center has 58 active volunteer therapists who provide 245 treatments for 67 cancer patients, family members and medical staff each month, reaching out to approximately 680 participants who receive 2,840 treatments throughout the year. Soroka Hospital in Beersheva Our therapists operate as an integral part of the Oncology Department. The medical staff willingly advises patients to avail themselves of our treatments and to follow our supplementary treatment plan. Our volunteer therapists treat cancer patients of all ages from small children to adults. Treatments are offered to patients, family members and the medical staff of the department at no cost and in coordination with the medical team. For patients, our treatment plans correspond with each patient's conventional treatments. Treatments are provided at the patients' bed, according to their personal needs, limitations and pain. Our volunteer therapists at Soroka Hospital are coordinated by a part time Volunteer Care Giver Coordinator. Annually, our 25 active volunteer therapists provide 230 treatments for 120 patients, family members and the medical staff each month, reaching out to approximately 1,440 participants. They provided a total of 2,860 treatments throughout the year. Hospice Home Care in Southern Israel Many cancer patients are unfortunately unable to travel as their illness is in an advanced stage. Unlike other cancer patients, they are confined to their homes with no possibility for pain relief and assistance in coping with the disease. The geographic distance from urban centers and the lower socio-economic status of the Negev population add additional strains, which make alternative treatment less accessible for them. Providing mobilized hospice care at home enables patients coping with the most severe state of cancer to receive complementary treatments, which benefit both mind and body, and ease their psychological stress of battling cancer. 15 active volunteer therapists provide a total of 55 treatments a month for 55 housebound patients in their homes. Each patient receives between 10 – 20 home treatments, dependent of course on their life expectancy. A total of approximately 1,000 home treatments were provided throughout the year. Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Statistically, 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer in Israel; each year, about 5,000 women are diagnosed, which accounts for about one-third of new cases, making it the most common type of cancer. Survival rates of this disease have been steadily increasing in recent years, now at 90%, emphasizing the importance of early detection, improved information and knowledge, and diverse treatment methods. Like Ruach Dromit’s treatments for other types of cancer, its complementary care for women battling breast cancer includes Chinese medicine, nutrition consulting, healing, medical massages, Shiatzu, Reflexology, Psychotherapy and other methodologies. These complementary medical treatments are conducted at Soroka Hospital and the Ruach Dromit Center. In addition, the organization provides workshops and lectures to raise awareness of breast cancer screening in healthy women; support groups for women with breast cancer; workshops and lectures on complementary alternative treatment for patients at the Breast Health Center and overnight group retreats with the emphasis on "Healing Together". Cancer Care for Children Our unique problem with treating children with cancer is that in many cases, the children are too sick or too prone to infection to leave home – and so we need to come to their homes and treat them there. Others are hospitalized in Soroka hospital and suffer greatly with this difficult illness at such a tender age. All our volunteer therapists are specially trained in providing the best possible care necessary for the toughest cases of all – children with cancer. Home Hospice care enables child patients to cope with the most severe state of cancer and ease their family's burden of the psychological stress of battling cancer in the family. Our care package for children includes toys and games at Chanukah and festivals and workshops plus treatments for full time care giving mums and dads. All treatments are performed at the patients' home and in the hospital ward are provided free of charge.