Cancer patients, acutely and chronically ill and injured people from the war - numerous people in the Ukraine are dependent on medical care. The University Medicine Essen has been in contact with Ukrainian doctors since the start of the Ukraine war and has been delivering supplies for emergency medical aid to the Ukraine via a fast logistics way. Children with severe
cancer whose medical care can no longer be guaranteed in Ukraine often remain invisible during military attacks. Essential medicines are missing, treatments such as chemotherapy could not be continued, which is why many children are treated further at the Essen University Medical Center. This song book with traditional Ukrainian (folk) songs was created during the therapeutic work with the Ukrainian families of seriously (very) ill children. It is intended to help Ukrainian families to cope with their individual situation as well as to support and to be available for therapists, pedagogues, or members of other professional groups during their work with Ukrainian refugees. With the financial support of the University Medicine Foundation, the "Blue-Yellow-Café", a contact point for Ukrainian families and siblings of children with cancer treated at the University Medicine Essen, was initiated by the Institut für PatientenErleben. It offers a pleasant atmosphere with sofas, armchairs and a colorful play area. In cooperation with the Center for Artistic Therapies (ZFKT), creative afternoons take place there regularly. The children, siblings and parents are often accompanied by the music therapist Dr. Susann Kobus. Many Ukrainian (folk) songs are sung, which help to cope with the current situation through therapeutic support. In conversations between the therapist and the family, feelings, thoughts and traumatic impressions find their place and can be therapeutically processed and supported. This song book arose from this work with the Ukrainian families. It is intended to
help those affected to cope with their individual situation as well as to support and be available to therapists, pedagogues or members of other professional groups when working with Ukrainian refugees.