DRAWING FOR HEALING
A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
"Drawing for Healing" is a program that I am HOPING to develop in partnership with Penn State Health Children's Hospital Oncology Group and their Child Life program. The virtual workshop will be offered to pediatric hematology/oncology patients at the Penn State Health Children's Hospital via pre-recorded lessons or live remote workshops.
My fascination with art began when I was a young child when I spent a lot of time in the Hematology/Oncology ward and eventually the Infusion Clinic of Penn State Health Children's Hospital during my brother's chemotherapy treatment for ALL that began when he was only 13 months old in 2013. During his 3.5 years in treatment, my older sister and I were so fortunate to have Child Life staff engage us in various activities, including Art and Music Therapy.
What started as an activity meant to ease some of the gravity of our family's circumstances at the time, became a gateway that further fueled my interest in art and its ability to be a therapeutic outlet for my energies.
Now, years later, I would like to be part of such a worthy endeavor to help the next generation of children and their families that are going through similar circumstances and be able to offer some respite, and perhaps ignite a passion like that of my own.
Aespa's Ning Ning
CHILDREN'S BOOK
"Title Not Yet Selected
I am currently illustrating and writing a children's book (with my little brother) which I have been wanting to do for many years now. This project is inspired by the extended time I spent during my early childhood going to doctor visits, spending time at the hospital, and even in Ronald McDonald House shelters when my little brother was undergoing chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Those times were unsettling and often frightening for a young child to have to process.
The book is meant for children ages 3-9 to help tiny readers find some comfort and understanding about dealing with scary experiences. I am hoping to make this into a book series, tackling activities and/or circumstances, including uncommon ones (i.e. surgery) that I experienced in my childhood.
My intention is to donate a portion of the proceeds from this book/book series to the Four Diamonds Fund whose mission is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research.
Check back often for more details!
She is one of the characters in my children's book. I hope you like her!
WHY THESE PROJECTS?
Because I want to use my art as a means to give back to those who made it possible for me and my family to be together, WHOLE.
My little brother is a Four Diamonds Kid who underwent chemotherapy for ALL and is a pediatric cancer survivor.
This would not be possible without the help of Four Diamonds and the Penn State Health Children's Hospital Oncology Group.
Four Diamonds and Penn State Health Children's Hospital missions are incredibly important to me, especially since my little brother is a "Four Diamonds Kid". Our family was fortunate to have a world-class pediatric cancer group by our side during the hardest time of our lives. My little brother was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) when he was only 13 months old and was treated at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Four Diamonds made sure that my family did not have to shoulder all of the heavy financial burdens attached to cancer care and chemotherapy that was not covered by our medical insurance, so we could focus on his care, treatment, and recovery. I am happy to share that my little brother is cancer-free and flourishing. He is still being monitored by Penn State Health's Pediatric Survivorship Clinic and all costs that are not covered by medical insurance is still being covered by Four Diamonds as part of their program.
ABOUT FOUR DIAMONDS AND PENN STATE HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
The Four Diamonds mission is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research. Four Diamonds covers 100 percent of all medical expenses related to cancer care not covered by insurance for eligible Four Diamonds children. Four Diamonds has assisted 100 percent of the childhood cancer patients who have been treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
Since its creation in 1972, Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,800 children and families and supported a diverse platform of childhood cancer research at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine, seeking improved treatments and cures to benefit kids around the world.
