Young Patients’ Artwork Shows Creativity and Courage

The artist Henri Matisse once said, “creativity takes courage.” So does facing cancer as a child.

Cancer, creativity and courage merged at a recent exhibit of art by patients of Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The artwork was created during the FACES (Feeling Accepted, Confident, Empowered and Strong) and FLASHES (Filming Life and Sharing Hope, Encouragement and Strength) support groups, which provide Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s patients with socialization, discussion and expression through art.

Here is a sampling of the patients’ work and what they say about it:

Patients create artwork

Cassandra Crowley, 20, of Arlington, Massachusetts
Lymphoma, stem cell transplant
Paintings
“I wanted to take something negative and turn it into something positive. Being able to make something positive and productive helped me get through.”

patients create artwork

Ben Hardcastle, 12, of Upton, Massachusetts
Lymphoma
Decorated sneaker
“You look at the shoe, and you want to have it. But cancer is something you don’t want. If you like the shoe, it comes at a price.”

Patients create artwork

Chloe McCarthy, 19, of Winchester, Massachusetts
Lymphoma
Needlepoint
“You need a hobby when you’re going through chemotherapy because TV only covers so much boredom.”

Patients create artwork

Nate Cavallo, 14, of Lexington, Massachusetts
Sarcoma
Photographs
“These were taken on my Make-A-Wish trip to Moorea in French Polynesia. My goal was to experience a magical underwater world, which I’d often dreamed of seeing. It’s great I was able to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Patients create artwork

Sarah Levin, 14, of Brookline, Massachusetts
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, stem cell transplant
Photograph
“Art helps me explore what I can do with different creative media. I’ve always liked art. It’s fun, and it’s cool to create stuff.”

Patients create artwork

Harry Clark, 14, of Wellesley, Massachusetts
Craniopharyngioma
Glass cheese plate
“I really like cheese, and I love art. I love expressing my feelings. The red could be happier, and the black could be sad or a little less happy.”

Patients create artwork

Samantha Mennella, 15, of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Photograph
“Photography shows who you are depending on what you take. I’m colorful. I’m very different. I’m very out-of-the-box.”

2 thoughts on “Young Patients’ Artwork Shows Creativity and Courage”

  1. These artists are an amazing example of courage and strenght. Not only are they beautiful inside & out, they create beautiful art. The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation is proud to support the Faces & Flashes Support Group.

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