By Caroline Robbins
Caroline Robins organizes special projects for Kids & Art. She also serves as workshop manager at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. She has worked in children’s art education for many years and has witnessed first hand the healing power of art. Caroline is also a member of San Francisco Women Artists and earned her BA (Honors) at Chelsea School of Art in London.
Kids & Art Foundation was founded in 2008 by Purvi Shah, a parent whose child was diagnosed with cancer at age three, then lost his life six years later. Her inspiration came after seeing the healing impact moments of art and creativity had on her son, Amaey, and all the members of her family while he was in treatment for cancer.
“Whether we like it or not, kids do get cancer. We might not be able to take their cancer away but we can definitely be there for them through their journey,” states Purvi Shah, Founder and Executive Director of Kids & Art Foundation.
Amaey’s artwork is now a powerful message of courage. Throughout his illness, art brought him a sense of relief and calmness. In a word, it was healing.
Other families also participated in the art projects Purvi brought into the hospital. Friendships were made, and a community of families realized they were not alone on their life changing journey.
Kids & Art is a Bay Area nonprofit that provides free art workshops to children touched by cancer and their care circle to improve their well-being during treatment, as survivors, and in bereavement. The workshops are held at UCSF Benioff Children’s hospital, Stanford Children’s hospital and unique destinations throughout the Bay Area.
Professional artists volunteer their time and are trained specifically to work with this community. Together, they use art as healing to empower, encourage, and create memorable experiences.
These artists have built a wonderful community where they connect, enrich and bring joy to the children and families. New artist volunteers are always welcome at Kids & Art. The workshops are only possible with the generous support of volunteers and donations.
The workshops provide a positive impact, turning frowns upside down, bringing bright smiles, laughter and valuable family time. Kids & Art creates a healing space, a sense of peace, and lasting memories for every family like Purvi’s who have been touched by pediatric cancer. A comment from a Kids & Art parent: “Her spirit just knows how to let loose and forget everything and just feel so happy doing something that she loves.”
Purvi hopes to see Kids & Art programs become an integrated part of the treatment plan in hospitals. Kids & Art is evidence that participation in art has the ability to change the experience of pediatric cancer for the patient and their family in positive ways, enabling them to find joy, pride and a sense of achievement. Children are given the chance to be seen as something other than a child with cancer.
As an organizer for special projects for Kids & Art I feel honored to be part of this incredible organization which makes such a difference to kids and their families who have been touched by cancer.
You Can Help Kids & Art
If you are interested to learn more about Kids & Art and want to volunteer or donate visit: kidsandart.org
Join Kids & Art on social media
Instagram: instagram.com/kidsandartorg
Facebook: facebook.com/kidsandartorg
Twitter: twitter.com/kidsandartorg
Google +: google.com/+KidsandArtOrg
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Steve Barr says
What a wonderful program! Having seen how great an impact art can have on a young patient’s healing process firsthand, I can attest to the power that it has. GREAT work folks! I hope your programs continue to grow and flourish.
Purvi Shah says
Thank you Steve for your note and for what you do with the kids. If you are ever in the Bay Area please do let us know. We would love to have you as our featured artist! #cancersucks #artheals
Steve Barr says
Purvi Shah – I don’t get out to the Bay Area often, but the next time I’m headed that way I will definitely get in touch about visiting with the children you serve. I might also be able to put you in touch with other Drawn To Help cartoonists and children’s book illustrators when they’re in your area, if you’d like. We’re all in this together! Keep touching young lives in a very special way.
Carlee Edmonds says
Hi Renee,
How would you encourage starting a non profit Writing/Art for Trauma patients? For the effects PTSD and trauma? I’m 27 years old and a cancer survivor and want to spread awareness. I am also a writer and going back to college to get my degree, psychotherapy not so much (no thanks no offense to psychologists). I’ve been a patient at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in the Nuero Onco Program for 11 years. Please let me know your thoughts! God Bless! Please let me know if there’s anyway I can help you!
Renee Phillips says
Dear Carlee,
Please accept my respect and encouragement to make a difference and help Trauma patients. As far as offering any advice, you’ll find a fact-filled article https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/positive-art-news-for-the-week-june-15/ about using art to Deal With Trauma. If I were interested in starting such a nonprofit I would reach out to other organizations that are also serving people with the same conditions. I’m sure you’ll find their websites very informative and I suggest communicating with them. I hope this information helps you.
To answer your question, how can you help us? Please spread the word about The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, the artists we feature, artists’ stories about art and healing, and the wonderful programs like Kids & Art Foundation that are featured on this website. Thank you!
Carlee says
Thank you so much for your response Renee! I’ll look into the non profits around Redding to see what’s available near me. As well as looking into what volunteer opportunities are available for volunteering at UCSF as I travel there frequently.
Renee Phillips says
Carlee, did you see the reply to your comment from Purvi Shah at Kids & Art Foundation? She wants to connect with you. All the best, Renee
Purvi Shah says
Hello Carlee,
We would love to talk with you.
We have a weekly program at UCSF Mission Bay and we are working with Stanford Children’s Hospital to create an Adolescent and Young Adult Program. We know first hand the effects of PTSD in patients, survivors, and caregivers and the need for healing in all phases of the cancer lifecycle. While the diagnosis leaves us in the dark… questioning everything, Art helps us focus on the now and brings back some semblance of control in our lives.
Do reach out at your convenience!