Novartis Stands by Chronic Patients with "My Journey" Project

Novartis launched the "My Journey" project to draw attention to the psychological dimension that chronic diseases create on individuals and to raise awareness in society. Lung Patients Solidarity Association, Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Association, Izmir Multiple Sclerosis Association, COPD Patients Association, Psoriasis Patients Solidarity Association and Turkey Multiple Sclerosis Association supported the My Journey project, which was launched to the press on 6 November in Istanbul. At the press launch, moderated by actress and presenter Ceyda Düvenci and featuring Novartis Communications and Patient Relations Director Nilüfer Gürpınar Güner, Clinical Psychologist Funda Kıvrıkoğlu Yalçınkaya and Clinical Psychologist Nuray Sarp Kulkara, details of the My Journey project were shared and the psychological dimension created by chronic diseases on patients and their families was discussed.

"Patients and Their Families Are Not Alone"

Novartis Communications and Patient Relations Director Nilüfer Gürpınar Güner, noting that Novartis has worked since 1957 with the goal of finding new ways to improve people's quality of life and extend their lifespans, said: "Our priority has always been patients and their families. To serve them better, we established a Patient Relations department within our company. We work in close contact with patient associations. In meetings held at regular intervals, we discuss processes related to patients and their families and seek new ways to support them in every sense." Güner, noting that the My Journey project emerged as a result of these meetings, said: "The My Journey project covers the difficulties faced by individuals with chronic diseases from the point of diagnosis through the process of accepting their illness. Within the scope of the project, we conducted interviews with patients guided by patient associations in the presence of clinical psychologists. We compiled the patients' processes of accepting their illness in 8 videos. Every patient will find a piece of themselves in these videos. We believe these videos will inspire individuals with chronic diseases. Our patients are not alone in this journey." Güner, noting that insufficient awareness projects are being conducted in Turkey regarding the psychological difficulties experienced by chronic patients and that the My Journey project addresses an area that has been neglected, stated that they are pioneering in this field. Güner noted that they plan to conduct activities within the project scope in the coming year and expressed that they will continue to listen to patients together with patient associations in the presence of clinical psychologists and stand by them at all times.

Ceyda Düvenci's Journey

At the event moderated by actress and presenter Ceyda Düvenci, who drew attention to her work in the health field, the renowned presenter said the following about her own journey: "As everyone knows, my daughter Melisa has cerebral palsy. Due to brain deformation she experienced after birth, she lost some of her physical abilities. She must receive physiotherapy support for life to be able to walk more properly and to complete her physical development correctly. This journey is very difficult for Melisa. However, children with special needs have an inherent strength and determination, and they are often very happy children. What we want to draw attention to at this point is the situation of families of children with special needs. Parents of children with special needs justifiably always put themselves second and live only for their children. Of course, all parents live for their children, but if you have a child with special needs, as a parent you are just as important as they are. Receiving psychological support during this difficult process is very important. Because you can feel inadequate in many areas, there can be moments when you feel exhausted and your strength is depleted. Or there can be a fear about the future, 'what will happen to my child when I'm gone?', a feeling you experience more intensely than other parents. All of these are feelings that parents of children with special needs experience and they are very human feelings. Receiving psychological support during this journey is very important. In the face of life's difficulties, receiving psychological support as an individual is very helpful in your journey through those difficulties. That is precisely why I am here both for myself and for other parents, and I fully support the My Journey project."