Patsy Allen, Daniel Avigdor, Nicola Bowers, Raynelle Arcaini
ESCA CancerSupport (ESCA CS) is taking up residence at the Château du Grand-Saconnex on 4 February, as they mark their 20th anniversary. The new premises will enable ESCA CS to better support those who have been affected by cancer, and their loved ones, in Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France.
“After 20 years of serving the Lake Geneva area, we had out-grown our premises. This new center will enhance our ability to offer our full range of services in a serene, warm and secure environment,” said Nicola Bowers, co-Director of ESCA CS. "We believe that in our new home, we can continue to expand our CancerSupport network, providing help that is free of charge and accessible to everyone.”
Back in 2000, a small group of 4 volunteers calling themselves the English-speaking Cancer Support Group, has grown into the professional and comprehensive support association now. These 20 years has seen great progress in the field of cancer research and the support this association gives is invaluable. Emotional support, practical help and physical well-being activities will now available under one roof, free of charge and in English — accessible to everyone. Some of the activities offered are counseling, group and peer support, fitness, yoga and art therapy.
Each year 35,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Switzerland, approximately 2,500 of whom reside in and around Geneva. An estimated 320,000 people are living with cancer in Switzerland. That number is predicted to double by 2030.
We love it when one of our readers spontaneously recommends a great company. Thanks to Lois for referring Ilham Bernichi Claudet from Swiss Med Office to us. We caught up with Ilham and asked her to tell us more about her company and herself.
When and why did you start Swiss Med Office?
In all areas, everyone wants the best. This is even more true when it comes to health, and when we and our loved ones are sick. But how do you know if a doctor or surgeon is good? Unless we have a health specialist in our environment, we have no way of knowing the professional reputation of a practitioner.
Hence the importance of having a neutral and independent health confidant at his side, who guides us in our choices.
What is behind the name?
Swiss: because we only work with Swiss partners to ensure the quality of our services.
Med: for medical.
Office: for the family office side, since we work as a medical concierge or PA.
What is your background: nationality, education, why Geneva?
I was born in Casablanca and spent the last 30 years of my life in French-speaking Switzerland (and am also a Swiss national), first in Geneva where I obtained my international diploma as a travel specialist (IATA) in 1993, while I studied experimental sciences and did my final internship at Rhône Poulenc Pharma, then in Morges. So I spent about ten years in travel, at a time when the Concorde was all the rage, particularly as a sales manager and agency manager in a United Nations office.
I am very fortunate to have been invited to visit and test palaces or the Business Class of the best airlines; very rewarding experiences. I have been around the world three times, met unforgettable people and discovered unique sites. Travelling forges the mind and nourishes the soul, which is why I feel at home everywhere and adapt quickly. As some would say, I am a citizen of the world!
After Swissair's grounding and the arrival of the Internet, travel agencies were confronted with a new business model dictated by low-costs. They have begun to charge for administrative and advisory fees in the absence of the commissions historically granted by airlines. I realized then how valuable the quality of neutral professional advice was.
Thanks to these long years of experience in the field, rich in human contact, I have built an important business network, which has allowed me to access the health sector. A position was created for me at the end of 2007 in the largest group of private clinics in French-speaking Switzerland and the second largest in Switzerland.
As part of my duties, my role has been to advise and support VIP patients, both Swiss and foreign. In order to meet their needs in terms of medical and surgical treatment, often in emergencies. I have made it my responsibility to facilitate their access to care by offering them personalized care, while guaranteeing them total confidentiality and security.
The next step was obvious for me and in 2017, I founded Swiss Med Office.
When Lucy recently recommended Katharine Minton to knowitall.ch, we knew others could benefit from this English-speaking counsellor, "Going through therapy with Katharine has been a life-enriching process. One reason why Katharine is such a good fit for me is that she enables me to understand better what's going on for me. I am in control and she journeys with me. She has helped me move forward with my issues. I would thoroughly recommend Katharine to others who are seeking a counsellor who listens with empathy and who is attentive, engaged, kind, and knowledgeable."
Katharine Minton offers counselling to help people with a wide range of issues such as:
- anxiety
- depression
- trauma
- grief
- issues in relationships
- personal concerns
She describes herself as an integrative counsellor using a variety of interventions tailored to clients' individual needs. The relationship with clients is of fundamental importance and she aims to create a warm, supportive and confidential environment to help people address their specific needs. The interventions she uses include:
- person-centered therapy
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- gestalt therapy
- creative interventions
- mindfulness
A local spa and beauty salon, with a long-standing reputation for providing high quality treatments using 100% natural products and state-of-the-art equipment and technology, is offering our readers a 30% discount on their first visit to their newest spa location. Located in Nyon, Institut Above The Sky provides clients with therapeutic massages and “high-tech” beauty treatments either at their own day spa or in the comfort of your own home.
Specialties
Slimming, anti-aging, laser hair removal and holistic Asian, oriental treatments and pair package treatments are their particular specialities of the center with clients having the option to choose from sugaring, laser, Hifu, lipocativation, radiofrequency, ultrasound, cryolipolysis or world massages and rituel treatments.
Training for beauticians and therapists and collaboration with top experts
In addition to servicing the needs of its clients, the institute is also gaining a reputation in the area for its training services, which allow local beauticians and therapists to learn new treatments which they can then offer to their own clients.
Owner Sophie Jing Su told knowitall.ch, “Originally from China, I am passionate about caring for others, to bring them the best treatments using the most natural products. However, it doesn’t stop there. I think it’s really important to share my knowledge with other health and beauty specialists so that as many people as possible can benefit from our services."
Many therapists organise workshop and consultation at our spa to create a win-win relationship. We strongly propose you to check our agenda of free or paid workshops."
By Laraba Friedman, Balanced Healing
As I celebrated the New Year with my family, I asked each one of them what they would like to give back – the answers were:
- to continue to raise money for a friend’s education in Africa
- to lower personal plastic consumption
- to be vegan 2 x week (at least)
- to continue eradicating waste at school through a special committee
- and to befriend an older person in the community.
I was proud. As for me, I want to continue on my minimization of plastics and to create a pace where I am able to enjoy the moments without wishing them away. And… because of who I am, I want to continue my adventure to a healthier gut!
Where are you with your thoughts for 2019?
Want to join me on the path of a healthier gut (and mind)? If so, I invite you to participate in one of my Healthy GUT….Healthy YOU, 4 week workshops starting 17 January.
This course is a great way to get to know your body (and its limits) and to take note of what is over ‘committing’ in the physical and emotional sense.
I recommend people do my workshop twice a year, as it gets you back to basics and thinking about a healthier way of living. If you have already done one course then why not try it again? You do have the tools but from personal experience, it’s much easier to do it with others.
