The Weight of Lightness: A Day of Unity, Sport, and Shared Healing at Molentargius Park
On May 10th, the tranquil beauty of Molentargius Park became the backdrop for a powerful community event titled “The Weight of Lightness: Sport and Sharing to Promote Health in the Face of Cancer”. The event was co-organized by Coevolvers (University of Cagliari) and the Karalis Pink Team, under the patronage of the Association of Professional Psychologists of Sardinia (Ordine delle Psicologhe e degli Psicologi della Sardegna), the municipality of Cagliari, and the Molentargius Park. The organizers invited participants to explore new ways of facing cancer—not as individuals, but as a team.
This initiative aimed to bring together oncology patients, families, healthcare professionals, psychology and pedagogy students, and the broader public to reflect on the multifaceted nature of illness and the shared power of support as a “salutogenic” factor.
A Day in Two Acts: Knowledge and Movement
The event was thoughtfully divided into two complementary sessions:
1. Morning Conference (9:00 – 13:00) – Knowledge and Testimony
Held at the Molentargius Park “Helmar Schenk Hall, the conference was moderated by Dr. Oriana Mosca, professor of Environmental and Social Psychology at the University of Cagliari, and featured a dynamic lineup of speakers:
Dr. Valentina Tanda highlighted an integrated approach to care that considers the whole person and their family system.
Dr. Marina Mura, a community psychologist of the Karalis Pink Team, discussed the crucial role of territorial services for caregivers and patients.
Dr. Sara Gandini of the European Institute of Oncology spoke about how sex and gender influence cancer risk and outcomes.
These expert interventions were interspersed with moving testimonies—firsthand stories of resilience and solidarity that brought the audience to a quiet reflection.
2. The Afternoon: “Puzzle of Life” Experience
In the afternoon, the park was transformed into a lively arena of cooperative sports and symbolic games. Participants, divided into teams, embarked on a four-stage experiential path, each station representing a dimension of the cancer experience: Perceptual, Affective, Cognitive, and Physical. At each station, teams collected materials representing one of the four psychological aspects. As they progressed, they built a symbolic puzzle together—reflecting their growth as a team and their shared journey through challenge and empowerment.
Phase 1 – Perceptual: "Listen to Yourself"
Walking barefoot across sensory zones filled with textures, sounds, and scents, participants reconnected with their bodies and inner selves. At the end of this stage, each team collected the first piece of their symbolic puzzle, writing down a word that captured their feelings.
Phase 2 – Affective: "Connect"
In a circle of shared emotions, participants wrote and exchanged anonymous messages of strength and encouragement. This deeply empathetic moment highlighted the importance of emotional support during the healing process.
Phase 3 – Cognitive: "Feed Your Mind"
Through a playful yet informative quiz on cancer prevention and common myths, participants gained useful knowledge while competing for symbolic prizes. This stage emphasized the role of awareness in empowering health choices.
Phase 4 – Physical: "Move for Life"
Teams engaged in a symbolic relay race and obstacle course designed to represent the emotional and physical hurdles of the cancer journey. This stage celebrated movement as a metaphor for resilience and collective strength.
The Final Moment: Building the Puzzle Together
As the sun began to set, all participants gathered in a large circle for the most touching part of the event. Each team placed their puzzle pieces onto a shared board, forming a collective symbol of unity, strength, and hope. Reflections were read aloud, and emotions ran high as the community stood as one—literally and figuratively piecing together what it means “to be a team” in the face of adversity.
Small tokens of appreciation were handed out and an open invitation was extended to continue this journey of awareness and solidarity at future events.
More Than a Day: A Movement Toward Integrated Support
Supported by a wide network of partners—including the University of Cagliari, the Sardinian Order of Psychologists, and local health and sports associations—the event underscored the need for a bio-psycho-social-environmental approach to cancer care.
The organizers emphasized:
• The healing power of movement and shared experience.
• The importance of caregivers’ support—both formal and informal.
• The transformative potential of community and empathy.
Final Reflections
By the end of the day, the sentiment was clear: healing isn’t just about medicine—it’s about people. About listening, moving, connecting, and learning. Most of all, it’s about facing difficulty together, as a team.
Piece by piece, step by step, the participants built not just a symbolic puzzle—but a real sense of unity.
“The Weight of Lightness” reminded everyone that through vulnerability, strength is born—and that no one should ever have to face illness alone.
