Saturday, March 13, 2010

Arts in Medicine

Watson Clinic Foundation’s community outreach includes a comprehensive Art in Medicine (AIM) program that began in early 2008. The program was designed to use healing arts to promote comfort and wellbeing for patients and families at the Center for Cancer Care & Research (CCCR).

About AIM

The AIM program is comprised of volunteers using their talents to benefit the patients, families and staff of the CCCR. Volunteers include musicians, artist, writers, performers and educators. Activities can be found in the lobbies, waiting rooms, chemotherapy and radiation rooms. They include:

Music Therapy
Music Performances
Art Therapy
Artistic Activities
- Painting Ceiling Tiles
- Silk Painting
- Dried flower art
- Paper hope beads
- Beading
- Origami
Clown Visits
Expressive Writing - Writing Therapy Article
Yoga

Music Therapy is at work in the chemotherapy rooms, not only allowing for distraction from the procedure at hand, but providing opportunities for expression of the patient’s fears and anxieties or hopes and dreams. Local Music Therapist volunteer stated, “When I go there – I’m not so concerned with the music – but talking with the people and seeing if I can use the music to facilitate some change (i.e. relaxation, elevation of mood, decreased anxiety, expression, etc.).”

Music performances such as Barber Shop choirs, local school singing groups and local string musicians are featured in Chemotherapy rooms for everyone’s enjoyment.

Right now - with the help of an Art Therapist volunteer - we are painting ceiling tiles for the radiation and chemotherapy rooms. Patients may paint a tile individually during their treatment. Patients also participate in group painting projects held in the lobby areas allowing patients to gather and talk with each other in a safe and caring environment.

Everyone is invited to paint or participate in art projects. Art projects help patients relax and refocusing their energy into a creative form of artistic expression. A recent patient expressed how wonderful painting was to her, “it took my mind off the cancer just for an hour.” She was also pleased to be able to paint a butterfly for other patients to enjoy.

Other art projects also have special meaning. Painting a scarf or hat to wear, creating a card to thank a caregiver or give hope to a patient and rolling beads with a special note written inside are all examples of the creative healing arts at work in Arts in Medicine.

Events

Calendar

Lilly Oncology on Art opening Show October 3, 2009

Volunteer Opportunities

If you enjoy sharing your artistic talents and abilities in order to make a difference in the lives of others we have a place for you. You can volunteer as a guest artist or a scheduled volunteer. If you choose to become a scheduled volunteer our AIM Coordinator will harmonize your talents into a wonderful volunteer experience.

You must be:

At least 15-years-old
Able to work in four hour time slots
Eager to help people

Volunteers provide AIM activities in the lobbies and chemotherapy rooms of CCCR. They also assist in special events and work with the coordinator to meet the patient’s needs.

Volunteer Application Process: