Marlene Bertoldo da Silva (photo) is the Director of the Department of Aid and Social Assistance at the Spiritist Federation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. She has a degree in Social Work. She has been an example and inspiration to many in recent years for her dedication and enthusiasm, even during the treatment for a serious illness. In this interview, she talks about her illness and also the challenges facing the Spiritism Movement in dealing with delivering aid and providing assistance to the community.  When did you become a Spiritist?  I was born in a Spiritist family. My parents and my mother´s parents used

Where is the Spiritist Centre you attend and what are your tasks there? 

Aged 18, I began providing assistance to others as a medium at the Spiritist Society Humberto de Campos, in the city of Canoas. I was a founding member of the Spiritist Society Fraternidade, also in Canoas. I am now a member of the Spiritist Association Allan Kardec, always in Canoas, and I am in charge of the Aid Department of the Spiritist Foundation of Rio Grande do Sul. 

What does your link to Spiritism mean to you? 

It´s my life. I often say that Spiritism is our history. 

What are the main challenges and opportunities concerning aid and social work in Brazil?

I think one of the main challenges is to manage to touch people’s hearts and open their eyes to the needs of others. And I must include even some Spiritists in that group. The opportunity, on the other hand, is before us now, when Spiritist Centres are faced with the opportunity of beefing up their aid to those who need both material and spiritual assistance. That is how they will meet their social purpose. 

What would you say to directors and managers of Spiritist Centres that have not yet had their Aid Departments properly organized? 

They must take into account all the information we have about the Spiritual World and spiritual life and put into practice the Gospel of Jesus. Spiritist Centres play an important role in Brazilian society these days, due to the vast numbers of people seeking assistance and to their desperate needs. We must understand what our requirements are, at all levels. As we work with children, we must make sure that we meet all the legal requirements, to avoid any penalties. Also, we must remind what Allan Kardec says in The Genesis, chapter XVIII, item 15: “Whoever has medidated upon Spiritism and its consequences, and circumscribes it not to the production of a few phenomena, comprehends that it opens to humanity a new way, and unrolls to it infinite horizons.” We must, therefore, organize ourselves to provide social assistance and aid, to become part of the network of volunteers and social workers organized by civil society. That is what the item 21 of the same chapter says: “Multitudes of protective, civilizing and emancipating institutions are founded under the management and by the introductory movement of men evidently predestined to the work of regeneration…” 

You suffered from a serious illness not long ago. What can you tell us about that experience? 

I went through, indeed, a very gratifying process of depuration. I had non-Hodkin lymphoma in my immunological system, with many nodes in my liver (1). I began feeling the first symptoms in February 2008. I went to the doctor and did some exams. In the mediumship group I was in charge of, I received a message from a friendly Spirit, who told me that I would go through a difficult process that could have serious consequences. But he asked me to keep faith that they would be with me. In March 2008, I was invited to hold an important post at the Spiritist Federation of Rio Grande do Sul. I was going through a batch of exams and declined the invitation, after saying that I had no managerial experience. I couldn´t see me working for the State Federation… But the insisted and insisted and I ended up giving in. All that happened a few days before my birthday, on March 19^th. The week after, on the 22^nd, I joined the Federation. I was diagnosed in the beginning of April and began the treatment in May, but had trouble completing the 21-day courses because of problems with my bone marrow. The treatment went of until February 209, with eight sessions of chemotherapy. I must thank the Spiritual World for calling me to higher duties during my treatment. And I could feel clearly the benefits of the Spiritual treatment they were providing during all the healing sessions I attended in that period.  

How important was your faith when we had your cancer diagnosis? 

When I picked up the envelope and opened it, I must admit that for a fraction of a second I felt fear, as I know that the treatment is very aggressive. But at the same time I thought to myself: that´s for me, for no one else! My main concern was my family, as we were helping at the time a cousin and neighbour who was terminally ill with liver cancer. And my problem was in my liver too, where I had many nodes. How would I be able to break the news? 

What changed after that? Has your routine changed? 

Of course it did. We become physically very week, but I managed to keep on working throughout the treatment. In some occasions, I did a chemo session on Friday and was there on Saturday to give a speech or lecture. I had to cancel some trips, when my immunity became very low. But I felt under constant protection from the Spiritual World. My friends were with me all the time. My treatment went on, but my bone marrow didn´t react to it. It was tested twice and thank God we found out that it was still functioning. People ask me if I changed. I say I am still the same person, only a bit calmer. I knew I would go trough a process of depuration. I believe that deep inside us, we all know we are going to go through something like that. 

How do you feel now? 

I feel very well, spiritually. I feel in peace, I try to do my best at all times, for me and for everyone else. I´ve been through the third revision and all the exams – including 28 blood tests and a CGT – have been positive.  

What would you like to say to those who fall seriously ill or have a close family member going through something like that? 

That we must remain calm and keep faith in God and our Benefactors. We will experience all we must experience, but let us not make of these occasions a time of sadness or despair God knows what is best for us.  

Your final words, please. 

However painful our experiences, we must realise we are never alone. There is a plethora of friends looking after us.

(1) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a malignant type of cancer originated in the lymph nodes, which are very important to fight infections. It has been called Non-Hodgkin in order to be differentiated from Hodgkin disease, a specific type of Lymphoma.