Cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYA) significantly impacts not only patients but also their families. In Costa Rica, Proyecto Daniel—a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life of AYAs with cancer—has developed innovative initiatives to support this population. One such initiative is a family gathering day: a psychoeducational and recreational event aimed at strengthening the patient’s support network.
Held in 2025 at Universidad Santa Paula, the event combined playful, educational, and reflective activities for mothers, fathers, siblings, and patients, fostering shared coping and resilience. Topics included the emotional impact of diagnosis, role reorganization, emotional expression, and family cohesion. Thirteen families participated, including caregivers, siblings, and AYA patients, in a comprehensive and intergenerational intervention.
The objective was to provide a safe and meaningful space where AYA patients and their families could share experiences, express emotions, and strengthen their support systems using community-based psycho-oncological tools. The eight-hour program included group techniques (dialogue circles, symbolic games, family shields) and moments of individual expression. Participants were grouped by role and age and supported by trained facilitators in psycho-oncology and family dynamics.
This experience was grounded in family psycho-oncology principles from Kazak et al. (2010), Wiener et al. (2015), and IPOS guidelines on adolescent-centered care. It incorporated frameworks on family resilience (Walsh, 2016) and safe emotional expression, adapted to the Costa Rican context.
The results highlight the potential of community-based, family-centered interventions to address the psychosocial needs of adolescents with cancer. The active participation of caregivers strengthens the therapeutic alliance, promotes emotional well-being, and creates replicable models of family intervention in adolescent oncology.