Cancer & Blood Disorders (JJCCC)

Hem/Onc Outpatient Programs

Family Centered Care Approach Parent Education My Child Has Been Diagnosed Hem/Onc Visiting Guidelines Reduce Infection Risk During Stay Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle Food Safety Camps Support Groups Getting to the Hem/Onc Unit

Hem/Onc Medical Director JJCCC Medical Director Refer a Patient

Hematology and oncology patients at Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach will soon benefit from Beckstrand Cancer Foundation's expansion of the existing Art Therapy Program, developed to provide children with creative outlets for coping with cancer or serious blood disorders and the treatment process associated with their diagnoses.

Research has shown that young patients – both children and adolescents – who have been diagnosed with cancer or serious blood disorders experience a myriad of psychosocial and psychological stressors throughout the long-term illness experience. Initiated last year by Beckstrand Cancer Foundation with the help of JJCCC’s founding Medical Director, Jerry Finklestein, MD, the Art Therapy Program provides patients with a positive way to express the diverse impact of these stressors.

According to Lil Spitzer, Executive Director of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, (pictured right) the program’s success and subsequent demand were catalysts for the expansion decision.

“This investment will double the program’s availability, reaching substantially more pediatric patients in need—addressing the patients’ hopes, fears and expectations, helping them cope through diversion and empowerment and improving their overall treatment experience,” said Spitzer, underscoring the Foundation’s passionate commitment to improving and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.
When participating in Art Therapy, the children utilize mixed media — markers, crayons, clay, colored pencils and paint — to convey their challenges and sensitivities within an environment that’s safe and unintimidating. It’s not uncommon for children to create a series of creative art pieces in an effort to better express their feelings.

Shares Spitzer, “[Art Therapy] uses the creative process to enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the children during a time filled with emotions and struggles.”

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of patients. It provides them a way to come to terms with emotional conflicts, increase self-awareness and express unspoken and often unconscious concerns about their illness and their lives.

Research has shown that cancer patients experience many psychosocial and psychological stressors when dealing with the disease and its difficult treatment. Art is a powerful tool that can identify these stressors, empower the young patient in the fight against cancer and offer a complimentary treatment method to relieve symptoms and gain insights into thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Benefits of Having an Art Therapy Program at JJCCC

When a child undergoes cancer treatment, she/he may not be able to verbally articulate his/her fears and hopes. Due to their young age and intense fears, they are unable to express or process verbally many psychological and physical issues the cancer has caused. The pediatric cancer patient is able to use the art as a creative outlet for his/her repressed emotions, confusing feelings states, wishes and fantasies about the cancer experience that they are unable to verbally express.

The Art Therapy Program at JJCCC is focused on inpatient hematology/oncology patients. Individual and group art therapy sessions are provided at bedside and in the playroom. Thanks to the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, the Art Therapy Program will be expanding to help children in the outpatient setting as well.

Art therapy provides a feeling of autonomy and control to a patient diagnosed with cancer or serious blood disorder. The patient is provided with a variety of art materials and is free to choose what she or he would like to create.

Other benefits of having an art therapy program:

Invites expression of difficult feelings, such as fears, angers and hope
Encourages symbolic and pictorial representations of physical and emotional states
Expresses expectation of hopes and fears of cancer and its treatment
Facilitates coping through diversion and empowerment
Encourages interaction between patients, which leads to opportunities for mutual support and friendship
Builds a sense of competence and control in an otherwise confusing situation
Provides a safe, non-threatening place and a supportive person on whom to project their feelings about their illness
When creating art, a permanent image is formed. The artwork remains the same over time and can be revisited by the patient with the guidance of the therapist. The insight gained, can then be shared within the treatment team.
Art predates verbal communication, thus is an excellent expression for children with cancer