The Urtica for Children Foundation

The ‘Urtica Dzieciom Camp’ sessions are designed for children and young people up to the age of 16 who are battling cancer. It combines a holiday with oncological rehabilitation, therapy and fun, as well as a huge dose of energy that helps them recover more quickly.

The Urtica Children’s Camp consists of six-day trips organised for children battling cancer and their loved ones. The camps give participants the opportunity to benefit from individual and group consultations with a psycho-oncologist, as well as sessions with a dietitian and a fitness instructor. The Foundation provides accommodation and full board, expert support and an engaging programme of activities.

Taking part in the camp is an excellent complement to hospital treatment. It is a time for rest and fun, and an opportunity for the children to take their minds off the reality of hospital life, whilst also providing immense psychological support for parents and carers.

The art therapy workshops known as ‘Słoneczna Galeria’ are a carefully designed programme that helps young patients take their minds off the daily routine of hospital life and receive therapy through art.

The workshops take place every year in 18 paediatric oncology and haematology wards across Poland. The Foundation’s young beneficiaries take part in art sessions, creating unique works under the guidance of visual artists and teachers. The sessions are engaging and inspiring, whilst at the same time tailored to the children’s energy levels.

The Foundation’s young people have the opportunity to develop artistically under the guidance of experienced visual artists. They can express themselves through art, expand their imagination and stimulate their creativity. The artworks created during the workshops are exhibited and auctioned off at the event that marks the culmination of each year’s work by the Foundation – the Urtica for Children Gala.

The Urtica for Children Gala is a formal event marking the end of each year of the Foundation’s work. During the Gala, artworks created by the children in the Foundation’s care are auctioned off, and the proceeds from the auction are used to support hospitals working in partnership with the Foundation.

The annual charity gala provides an opportunity to review the past year’s activities with the guests. Its highlight is an auction of works created by the Foundation’s beneficiaries, which are produced beforehand as part of the ‘Słoneczna Galeria’ workshops.

All proceeds from the auction of artworks, which takes place during the Gala, are allocated to supporting hospitals that collaborate with the Foundation, including equipping and creating comfortable, child-friendly spaces on the wards. Over the past 27 years, more than 5 million zlotys have been raised.

FUrtka is a support portal and, at the same time, a website featuring handmade crafts, created with the aim of helping others. On the site, you can find interesting products featuring the work of the Foundation’s beneficiaries.

The website features, amongst other things, original paintings created during the ‘Słoneczna Galeria’ workshops, as well as unique items based on designs from the artworks. In return for a donation to the Foundation, visitors to the website can receive a unique item of their choice.

The funds raised through the charity portal enable the Foundation to carry out its statutory activities and provide social support to children and families affected by cancer.