HOUSTON, July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Today, several of Space City's best-known institutions —
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and ILC Dover —
announced a partnership that brings the benefits of arts and
science to pediatric cancer patients while increasing awareness of
childhood cancer. More than 530 patients, families, and staff
members painted original artwork used to create full-sized suits
for the Space Suit Art Project.
![HOPE: Space Suit Art Project increases awareness of childhood cancers HOPE: Space Suit Art Project increases awareness of childhood cancers](https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20160708/387563)
Born out of an idea from MD Anderson's Arts in Medicine Program,
which helps pediatric patients cope with cancer treatment through
art, this project inspired leaders at NASA's International Space
Station (ISS) to support the effort with help from astronauts,
scientists and engineers. NASA provided patterns for the suits and
worked with ILC Dover, a manufacturing and engineering company that
develops NASA space suits, to assemble the suits by stitching the
hand-painted art pieces together into a wearable replica space
suit.
"This project has inspired hope for kids fighting cancer,
instilled them with courage and created unity, all while increasing
awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of pediatric
cancer research," said Ronald A.
DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "We are so proud of
this project and grateful for the passion and support we've
received from NASA, ISS and ILC Dover. This is a wonderful example
of the power of collaboration."
On average, one in 285 children in the US will be diagnosed with
cancer before the age of 20. Similar to adults, children going
through cancer treatment can experience anxiety and depression.
Research shows creative arts therapy benefits cancer patients as
mental health and behavioral health are positively impacted. At MD
Anderson, art gives patients a sense of control and purpose, makes
them more comfortable in the hospital environment, and helps build
community among patients and families.
"This collaboration highlights both the knowledge and
inspiration that flow from the International Space Station," said
Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., veteran
astronaut and director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. "Our
astronauts conduct research on board the orbiting National
Laboratory that benefit people around the world, including
experiments that may inform future cancer research."
Leading the effort to connect science, technology, arts and the
human spirit are Ian Cion, director of the Arts in Medicine
Program; Nicole Stott, retired NASA
astronaut and the first person to paint in space; and David Graziosi of ILC Dover. Their collaboration
created the Space Suit Art Project, which demonstrates the
transformative power of arts in the healing process through three
space suits designed to convey different meanings: Hope, Courage
and Unity.
The first suit, HOPE was stitched together from more than
600 hand-painted art pieces created by patients, families and staff
at MD Anderson. It represents the hope patients and families have
as they go through treatment. Their primary hope is to survive
cancer, but it's deeper than survival. The project inspires hope
for progress in childhood cancer research, which is consistently
underfunded, and hope that childhood diseases like cancer can one
day be eliminated. One patient inspired by the Space Suit Art
Project and who provided artwork for the first two suits shared his
hope.
"Even though my cancer is back after I already survived it
twice, working on this project makes the days go faster and reminds
me about the importance of hope,' said Jacob, a 17-year-old Ewing's
sarcoma survivor. "I'm excited to tell people that my art may go to
space, and, one day, I hope to work with the space exploration
vehicles at NASA."
COURAGE, the second space suit created with patients at
MD Anderson, many of whom were on isolation during their treatment,
is meant to demonstrate the courage it takes to be isolated from
family and friends during long periods of time. Astronauts face
similar isolation during space exploration missions. Stott took a
watercolor paint kit on her space missions to remain connected to
the world left behind and to help document her experiences.
Creation of the third space suit, UNITY, will be an
international collaboration with children's hospitals around the
world. The UNITY space suit will represent the global issues
surrounding childhood cancers, with a goal to unite others, help
spread awareness about childhood cancers and offer hope and courage
to cancer patients around the globe.
"The kids and families we've met during this creative journey
have shown us all the importance of hope, the power of courage and
the strength of unity," said Stott. "All of the partners involved
with this project and I hope people will see these works of art and
they will be inspired to learn more about the story behind it,
which is the need for increased awareness of childhood cancer.
There's so much work to be done for pediatric cancer research —
we're just trying to do our little part."
The Space Suit Art Project officially launched today at MD
Anderson. Ochoa, Stott, patients and families, astronauts and other
collaborative leaders of the project joined MD Anderson President
Dr. DePinho on stage for the special unveiling of the first space
suit, HOPE, and a special announcement that COURAGE
will be going into space later this month.
About MD Anderson
The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most
respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research,
education and prevention. The institution's sole mission is to end
cancer for patients and their families around the world.
MD Anderson is one of only 45 comprehensive cancer centers
designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). MD Anderson
is ranked No. 1 for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's
"Best Hospitals" survey. It has ranked as one of the nation's top
two hospitals since the survey began in 1990, and has ranked first
for 11 of the past 14 years. MD Anderson receives a cancer
center support grant from the NCI of the National Institutes of
Health (P30 CA016672).
© 2016 The University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center
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SOURCE The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center