Learning that begins with 'What if I got cancer?' - Supporting the balance between treatment and work through the Cancer Note JOURNEY experience
Hello. This is the official note of the Japan Career Development Association (JCDA).
Thank you for your continued readership.
This time, we would like to introduce our skill-up training, "Practical Training for Supporting the Balance Between Treatment and Work Using the Cancer Note Original Board Game 'Cancer Note JOURNEY'".
In the morning, you can engage in workshops that allow you to deeply consider the situation as your own through a board game that lets you re-experience the life of someone diagnosed with cancer. In the afternoon, you can practically learn about how to engage as a career consultant through case studies and role-playing.
It is a training session filled with learning throughout the day.
'What if I got cancer?'
When asked that, what comes to our minds?
Treatment.
Work.
Family.
Money.
Even if we can think about it in our heads, it is by no means easy to truly imagine that situation as something that could happen to us.
In my own work involving career support, I know that many people are working while facing illnesses or health challenges. I also feel that cancer is not a story about someone special, but is by no means a distant event for each and every one of us.
That is precisely why there is great significance in having the opportunity to think, 'What would I do if it were me?'
Through such an experience, you can learn about balancing treatment and work in this practical training that utilizes the Cancer Note original board game, 'Cancer Note JOURNEY'.
Re-experiencing the life of a cancer patient
'Cancer Note JOURNEY' is a board game developed by the NPO Cancer Note that allows players to re-experience the life of a cancer patient.
As players move along the board like in the Game of Life, they face various events such as diagnosis, treatment, work, family relationships, financial aspects, and connections with society.
What makes it unique is that many of the events that occur in the game are based on the actual experiences of people who have had cancer.
The confusion immediately after receiving a diagnosis.
The worry about balancing treatment and work.
The conflict over how much to tell those around you.
The choices regarding how to spend limited time and money.
Players must make their own decisions each time.
Of course, there is no right answer.
That is precisely why time is created to think, 'What would I do?' and 'What do I want to value?'
And before you know it, you are not just understanding the life of a cancer patient, but also facing your own values and life priorities.
Thinking with someone, not alone
Just as in real life, the time spent facing cancer is never something you go through alone.
You may have family.
You may have colleagues at work.
The presence of supporters and friends can also be a source of strength.
In this training, you will progress through the game while cooperating in groups.
Consulting with peers.
Having someone listen to you.
Being exposed to other people's ways of thinking.
Through such dialogue, encountering perspectives you would not have noticed on your own is also a major appeal.
Participants have shared comments such as,
'I felt the weight of each individual card,'
'I thought deeply about how to use limited time and money,'
'It became an opportunity to re-examine my own life.'
and so on.
When we think of learning, we tend to imagine increasing our knowledge, but what you gain from this training is not just knowledge. There is understanding through experience.
What can I do as a supporter?
In the latter half of the training, the perspective shifts from experiencing life as a cancer patient to that of a supporter.
After the cancer diagnosis.
During treatment.
After returning to work.
While learning about these processes through step-by-step case studies, you will consider what kind of involvement is required as a career consultant, HR representative, or manager.
Since role-playing is also conducted, another feature is that you can learn practical ways of engaging, rather than just understanding it as knowledge.
Looking at participant surveys,
'I had an experience where I couldn't be of help to the person seeking advice,'
'I didn't know how to provide support,'
'I wanted to know what I could do,'
were common comments.
Those who want to support others are the ones who often feel their own helplessness.
However, support is not just about doing something special.
Trying to understand the situation the other person is in.
Respecting that person's own choices.
Thinking together.
I feel that this training is packed with opportunities to learn the essence of such support.
Toward a society with 'taken-for-granted' support
Starting in April 2026, 'support for balancing treatment and work' has been clearly positioned as an obligation for employers to make efforts. While establishing systems and structures is certainly important,
what is truly needed, perhaps, is for each individual to understand the existence of people working while managing an illness and to think of it as a personal matter.
We may one day be on the side providing support. And we may one day be on the side receiving it.
That is why I believe the question, 'What if I got cancer?' is a meaningful one for many people.
Cancer Note JOURNEY is a valuable opportunity to think about that question safely and deeply.
This training is recommended not only for HR personnel, managers, and career consultants, but also for anyone who wants to think about their own life.
Training Session Information
Practical Training for Supporting the Balance Between Treatment and Work using the Cancer Note original board game 'Cancer Note JOURNEY'
Target Audience
Those involved in HR and human resource development working in companies
Those involved in support for balancing work and life, or those planning to be involved in such support
Those who want to expand their range of support as career consultants
Those interested in supporting the balance between treatment and work
Instructor
Ms. Mika Sunagawa
JCDA Treatment and Work Balance Support Promotion Project Leader
Representative, Cancer Career
Level 2 Career Consulting Technician
10th Term CNJ Certified Cancer Information Navigator
Tuition Fee
JCDA Member: 23,000 yen
General: 32,200 yen
Scheduled Dates
Tokyo: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Osaka: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Okinawa: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Tokyo: Sunday, February 7, 2027
*Event information is subject to change.
Details and Registration
JCDA Training Registration Site Leaf
https://jcda.leaf-hrm.jp/
"What if I got cancer?"
A day that begins with that question might lead to the power to support someone.
Why not come and experience it for yourself?
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