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Bringing The Arts To Children With Cancer & Serious Blood
Disorders
By Marilyn Clements
I remember as a
little girl dancing around my living room, putting on shows for all of the
neighbors, painting and singing and escaping into the wonderful world of
creativity every time I got the chance. I literally grew up in dancing
school and was certain that I was going to be a ballerina. I became a
Choreographer. My travels took me to many wonderful venues including Radio
City Music Hall. During this busy time Don Harper (composer for many
popular films such as Tarzan, Twister and Speed) and I talked about doing
some projects on the side and developing an arts program for children.
During this time, we were both dealing with losses in our families to
cancer.
I got a call from
Mark Poncher asking me if I would help him with an evening fundraising
event for Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center. There I met Dr.
Finklestein and some wonderful children. Don and I were busy with our
careers and since we had discussed producing some art activities for kids
it just seemed like a good idea to pursue an avenue that we had never
thought of. I saw these adorable children that as Don describes,
"have been suddenly thrown into a world that was far from
normal". I remembered dancing at the studio and the joy I felt when I
could be creative and wondered how many of them got that chance. I met
with Rose Mills and shared the idea we had. Rose and Dr. Finklestein were
so open to it and supportive so we visited the children to see how they
might feel about it.
Before I knew it we were loading in costumes and tap shoes to the
pediatric hematology/oncology unit and asking the children if they would
like to try some tap dancing. Tap dancing was something they could try
without traveling away from their "tree", they could make plenty
of noise and move around a little. To my surprise they took to it like
ducks to water and the smiles were unbelievable. Each day was a new
adventure and when I saw children get out of bed after surgery and dance
for two hours, or amputees "tap-ing" from a chair and having a
wonderful time I knew we were doing something good.
We did our first
Family Information Fair in February of 1994, again not knowing what to
expect or how this would work. We had 35 children our first year and the
response was positive. (February 10, 2000 was our 7th year of doing a
"Discovery Arts Adventure" and we had close to 200 children
attending.) We spent the next five years learning and discovering what
worked and what did not. We were able to expand our program to include
guest artists, music, art and drama. The program was at the point where it
needed to grow if it was going to survive.
In 1998 we became a nonprofit organization and began searching for the
funding that would make our program possible. Thanks to companies and
organizations like The Boeing Company, The Boeing Employee Community Fund,
The Cherese Mari Laulhere Foundation, The Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation
and many wonderful individuals we have been able to sustain an on going
program at Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center on a weekly basis.
Each week is different and something miraculous always occurs. Discovery
Arts has been an adventure for us as well. The response we get from the
children, their parents and the medical staff keeps us coming back for
more. I can truly say that I have never enjoyed something more than this
program and all of the exciting shows I have ever been involved with have
never equaled a day in the playroom.
We have a dream....that we can someday grow this program nationally. That
all children stricken by cancer can choose an art activity, their degree
of participation and laugh and paint and sing and dance and create and
dream and accomplish and grow and heal.
God willing, we
will continue to move ahead one step at a time. Until then, we will enjoy
every minute with every child and are grateful for the opportunity to be
in the presence of these wonderful and amazing children.
Discovery Arts
brings "Art Adventures" to the children while they are in the
hospital receiving treatment. For more information or how you can help
contact:
Marilyn Clements
Discovery Arts
17300 17th street #J-321
Tustin, California 92780
(949) 760-8413
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