The history of the modern National Cancer Institute (NCI) on Klenová Street in Bratislava began 25 years ago.  Although the roots of medical care for cancer patients in Slovakia go further back and were connected with other places, in 2015, a quarter of a century has passed since the premises of the former State Institute of National Health were handed over to treat oncology. Currently, the National Cancer Institute is the largest specialised hospital for the treatment of cancers which provides complex oncology care for the patient. It is visited yearly by thousands of patients from all over Slovakia.
Since its foundation, the NCI has undergone many changes both from the medical and technical point of view. The most important changes took place in the last few years when the significant modernisation of key departments was completed. These include the Department of Clinical Oncology E, the Clinic of Surgical Oncology, the Department of Outpatient Chemotherapy and recently the complete refurbishment of the transplant unit.
In 2013, the National Cancer Institute adopted the philosophy of “healing through art” because the doctors and nurses perceive the therapy as a form of art. For them, the treatment of a patient is the art of healing. At the same time, in NCI, they treat with art. They try to decorate the environment in which patients receive treatment with art, hence all the refurbished departments and areas are connected with art, predominantly fine art.
The individual projects could not have been done without help from the non profit group: The Association of the Friends of the NCI (Združenie priateľov NOÚ). It was established in 2009 by doctors and employees from the institute with the aim of supporting the activities of the institute. It is also philosophically interlinked with the National Cancer Institute through the “art of helping”. Thanks to the initiatives of the association and the institute, the traditional special dance gala evening “Art for Life” (Umenie pre život) was renewed. This has been organised in cooperation with the Slovak National Theatre for five years. It is an expression of gratitude to everybody who helps the institute.
                                                                                                                                                            The Association of the Friends of the NCI