Program Lets Teen Artists Help Cancer Patients Heal

My late boyfriend Ruben was diagnosed a year ago Oct. 24th with liver cancer.

He only lived two months after that.

The University of Main Cooperative Extension and York Hospital Oncology Treatment Center are collaborating on a new program that pairs teenagers with cancer patients and their loved ones to create art as part of the healing process.

The sessions, which officials began this month and meet once monthly, are headed by artist-in-residence Laura Jaquays.

There are 10-12 teens committed to the sessions.

"We're describing these sessions as creative gatherings that act as a support group, with participants coming together that have an interest in art," said Carol Beliveau, program administrator and oncology clinical nurse specialist.

The concept for the program began more than a year ago when Jaquays approached Beliveau requesting to visit with cancer patients at the facility.

A 70-year-old lymphoma patient, whose passion was creating meticulous gardens, did one such project.

Artworks and writings created at the gatherings will be displayed in an Art HOPE "Garden of Gifts" Gallery at the oncology centers in York, Wells, and South Berwick to serve as inspiration for others going through similar life experiences.

Dr. Karen Heusinkveld of Fort Worth, Texas, has a mother who died of breast cancer when she was five years old. She was one of the ambassadors for the American Cancer Society at their annual Celebration on the Hill in September.

"I became a Registered Nurse and have worked many years in oncology," said Heusinkveld. "I know that my mother would be alive today if we had the knowledge about cancer when she was diagnosed that we have today."

Heusinkveld earned a Doctorate in Public Health in order to become more involved to prevention and early detection of cancer.

"I am passionate about funding for cancer research and passionate about legislation for prevention, detection, and treatment," she said.

Michael Kaitcer, also of Fort Worth and another ambassador, had a father who had bladder cancer in 1982 that required surgery but he has been cancer free since.

"My mother had breast cancer in 2000 that required surgery but she has been cancer free since," said Kaitcer. "One of my law partners was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue in 1982 but with new developments was able to treat it with chemotherapy and radiation instead of surgery."

Kaitcer said what touched him, most, however, was two years ago when his ten-year-old daughter asked him about the time he spent with the American Cancer Society, and especially with their Relay for Life.

"She finally asked me why people have to get cancer and suffer or sometimes die from it," he said. "I obviously couldn't give her a reason. I realized that the main reason I am involved is so that she won't have to hear her children ask that same question."