Band plays for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in hospital in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

“Gönüllüler Korosu” (Choir of Volunteers) aims to help cheer up the patients while they receive their chemotherapy medications in the Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, daily Cumhuriyet reported Oct. 3.



“Being in high spirits is essential for all illnesses, but it is way more essential for oncology patients. I’ve been receiving chemotherapy for 1.5 months. I’m at the chemotherapy room for five hours a day and five days a week. I feel I’m relaxing with the music,” said Tayfun Güler, a 38-year-old cancer patient, adding that seeing the happiness in his friends’ eyes made him happier.



“We ask them to play songs for us and sing along with them. I didn’t feel the exhaustion the chemotherapy leaves on my body. I will go home happier and feeling better today,” he added.



According to surveys regarding the practice, music helps make the patients happier. Water sounds accompany the songs, which is “crucial” for the patients to relax, according to the psychologist of the hospital.



“Neurological research has revealed that water sounds have positive effects on the treatment process in oncology cases,” psychologist Ayla Karaca said. She added that music relaxes the patients so significantly that they are able to fall asleep rather than suffer the negative effects of the therapy, such as vomiting.

A band has been giving concerts for nearly seven months in a hospital for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the Okmeydanı neighborhood of Istanbul.