There is the natural Latin lover, those who are already influencers, there are the budding musicians and those who embody weaknesses, vices and virtues: the needle-phobic, the spoiled, the problem solver. Scenes of adolescence that illness cannot change, not even cancer. He tells her about ‘I caught a crab’, a sitcom written and performed by the kids from the Youth Project of the National Cancer Institute (Int) of Milan. Launched in 2011 with the aim of creating and promoting a tailor-made care model for those facing an oncological disease at the most difficult age, on 18 November the project will debut on TV on Mediaset with the series created in collaboration with Mediafriends and with the support from the Bianca Garavaglia Ets Foundation. Seven episodes of 7 minutes each, filmed on a special set: the Int pediatric oncology clinic, where everything was born.
To teenagers affected by cancer – ‘stateless’ people who are too old to be treated like children, not old enough to be treated like adults – Progetto Giovani wants to give a home, a ‘middle ground’ between pediatric oncology and oncology tout court , offering spaces for creative expression that allow the complex emotions linked to the treatment process to be processed and shared. Many artistic initiatives have been signed in recent years by the children of Andrea Ferrari, the pediatric oncologist who coordinates Progetto Giovani: songs that have become ’hits’, forays into the world of fashion, writing and photography experiences. Now also television, new adventure, same philosophy: talking about fears and hopes with sincerity and irony.
“The quality of life is an essential component - underlines Ferrari – as much as the quality of care. For this reason we have reserved exclusive spaces for our adolescent patients where they can participate in projects that use artistic and creative paths to allow them to talk about themselves, to express fears , hopes and dreams. These projects, which require several months to complete, offer the children a goal to strive towards, a prospect of the future.” And in the meantime “they serve to draw attention to the medical peculiarities of adolescent patients, who are less likely than children to be treated in centers of excellence and in clinical protocols – highlights Maura Massimino, director of the Division of Pediatric Oncology of the Int – and to several tumors have fewer problems healing than smaller patients.”
The new sitcom “was a wonderful project – testifies Ferrari – The boys were screenwriters and actors. It was fun, challenging and, above all, a moment of union and sharing”. Supervised by a multidisciplinary team, the boys were protagonists of every creative phase of the project. Each episode deals with an aspect of life in hospital, from the difficulties of those who arrive in the ward hating it and then discover a second family, to the sushi party organized behind the doctors’ backs. “Perhaps the themes we have chosen to talk about will surprise you – say Edoardo and Marta – but in reality they are precisely those that really matter for a boy of our age: how you see yourself in the mirror, how you know how to relate to your friends or not , to the girls you would like to hit on, but don’t have the courage to do so.” Starting from true stories and ”making them communicable to others, laughing about them”, adds Marco. “The sitcom – he explains - allowed us to address issues that, for us, are unfortunately not light and ironic. It is not easy to tell your own story of illness, the obstacles that we have faced every day or that we still have to face. We can say, in this sense, it was truly therapeutic.”
‘I caught a crab’ will debut on Monday in the late evening on La 5, digital terrestrial channel 30, with an episode of the series enriched by the extraordinary participation of Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, which will be shown again the following day at 5pm on Cine34, he explains a note.
All 7 stories, which feature 25 young people aged between 15 and 24, will be visible on Mediaset Infinity. An awareness campaign on the topic of young cancer patients which will last a year and which will be available for this entire period of time, free of charge, on Mediaset Infinity, in a section enriched with extra content, always created by the protagonists.
The Italia 1 program ‘Le Iene’, through its social channels, will also be an active part in supporting the Int Youth Project, which represents a model of excellence in adolescent oncology, considering treatment as a path that goes beyond clinical treatment and including innovative tools to improve quality of life and promote resilience.
How are young cancer patients involved in the creation of “I Caught a Crab”?
Time.news Interview: Exploring “I Caught a Crab” – A Sitcom by Young Cancer Patients
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Andrea Ferrari, the pediatric oncologist who is leading the Youth Project at the National Cancer Institute in Milan. Dr. Ferrari, it’s a pleasure to have you with us!
Dr. Ferrari: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share insights about our latest project.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The sitcom “I Caught a Crab” has generated quite a buzz. What inspired you and the young patients to create it?
Dr. Ferrari: The inspiration stemmed from a desire to create a space for teenagers affected by cancer—those who often feel caught between childhood and adulthood. We wanted to give them a platform for creative expression—something to address their unique challenges while also allowing them to share their experiences with humor and honesty.
Editor: It sounds like a vital initiative! Can you tell us about what the show portrays and the themes you chose to explore?
Dr. Ferrari: Absolutely! Each episode is about seven minutes long and delves into different aspects of life in the pediatric oncology ward. We highlight both the struggles and the lighter moments—like a sushi party sneaked behind the doctors’ backs. Ultimately, we aim to showcase the relationships and the emotions that are profoundly relevant to teenagers, from self-image to friendships.
Editor: That sounds meaningful. How did the young patients contribute to the writing and production of the sitcom?
Dr. Ferrari: They were fully engaged as writers and actors. It was not only a creative endeavor; it became a bonding experience for them. They collaborated throughout every stage, which fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment. For many, it was a way to process their experiences and express what really matters to them.
Editor: That’s incredible! How do you think this project impacts the participants’ quality of life during treatment?
Dr. Ferrari: Quality of life is just as essential as the quality of care in pediatric oncology. By focusing on creative projects, we provide a goal for these adolescents, a chance to engage in something positive that can distract them from their illness. Moreover, these initiatives encourage dialogue about their fears and hopes, essential parts of their emotional journey.
Editor: Maura Massimino mentioned that adolescent cancer patients are often overlooked in terms of specialized care. Can you elaborate on what makes this demographic unique?
Dr. Ferrari: Certainly. Adolescents are in a crucial development stage, yet they often slip through the cracks of the healthcare system. Unlike younger children, they are less likely to receive treatment in specialized centers or follow suitable clinical protocols. By shining a light on their specific needs and experiences, we hope to advocate the importance of tailored care for this age group.
Editor: It’s significantly important work. What message do you hope viewers will take away from “I Caught a Crab”?
Dr. Ferrari: We want viewers to recognize the resilience and creativity of young cancer patients. The series is a celebration of their voices and experiences, showing that even in the face of illness, humor and camaraderie can thrive. Our hope is that it also sparks greater empathy and awareness about the challenges these young people face.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ferrari, for sharing these insights! It’s truly inspiring to see how your team is making a difference in the lives of so many young patients.
Dr. Ferrari: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our work! I hope “I Caught a Crab” resonates with audiences and brings more attention to this vital conversation.
Editor: We’ll certainly be tuning in on November 18th when it debuts on Mediaset! Thank you again for your time, Dr. Ferrari.