Healing on the halfshell: Program taps cancer patients’ artsy side

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Monday, August 26, 2024

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Healing on the halfshell: Program taps cancer patients’ artsy side

Mike Scott, mscott@stph.org

As part of a new art therapy program at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Cancer of Ochsner Medical Center, patients and their caregivers were recently invited to paint oyster shells that will then be sold at THE Gala to raise money for similar cancer center programs. (Photos by Tim San Fillippo)

'What I really hope is for them to come here and enjoy an hour without thinking about cancer,' local artist Maddie Goff said shortly before welcoming a dozen or so eager pupils to the cancer center classroom space.

Technically, they are all united by cancer – different types of cancer and at different stages, but cancer just the same.

But, strictly speaking, that’s not what brought them together recently at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center. Quite the opposite, in fact.

They were there for art.  

“What I really hope is for them to come here and enjoy an hour without thinking about cancer,” local artist Maddie Goff said shortly before welcoming a dozen or so eager pupils.

As she spoke, Goff was helping to lay out oyster shells, paint pens and other supplies for a free hourlong art therapy session held monthly at the cancer center for diagnosed cancer patients and their caregivers. It’s the newest of several such enrichment activities and support services the cancer center offers – others include yoga, chair yoga, meditation, tai chi, healthy cooking demonstrations, support groups and music therapy – as part of its efforts to treat the whole patient, as opposed to focusing solely on the disease.

In medical circles, that whole-patient concept is known as Integrative Oncology. Being that we’re in South Louisiana, such offerings at the cancer center have been dubbed Lagniappe Services – and, according to St. Tammany Health System Cancer Services Manager, they are popular.

“I’ve always wanted to initiate art therapy after researching the benefit,” Gomez said as patients began taking their seats. “This group class will allow cancer patients to create art as a way to become self-aware and express what they are feeling.”

The idea finally got traction this summer, when Gomez mentioned it to Kathleen Thomas of St. Tammany Health Foundation, the nonprofit arm of St. Tammany Health System and a major supporter of local cancer care. Thomas knew just who to call to help make it become reality: artist Maddie Goff.

“Maddie’s an artist but she’s also got a master’s in social work, so she’s perfect for this. Then, she’s also a friend of the foundation, so I just picked up the phone and she basically said, ‘When’s the first class?’” Thomas said.

That first class, it turns out, was in July, and it saw participants adorn tote bags. It went over like gangbusters, although grateful students had a suggestion for the next time: Maybe there was a way for them to create art that would in some way give back to the community.

What she, Goff and Gomez came up with was a program to have them paint oyster shells with whatever designs they chose.

“This is the first time I’ve done art since 4th grade,” one of the participants said.

“This is the first time I’ve done art ever,” another added.

As they worked, Goff circulated among them, offering tips, advice and encouragement.

When they were done, participants were given the option of keeping their blinged-out shells for themselves or donating them to the foundation, which will offer them in exchange for a nominal donation in October at THE Gala, its signature annual fundraiser.

Participating patients had the added option of writing a few heartfelt words to accompany their shell. The back of one “secret” shell will additionally be adorned with a loose diamond donated by Diamonds Direct. The Gala attendee who selects that shell will get to keep the diamond.

Fittingly, money raised through the Gala, and through the sale of those newly bedazzled shells – will be used to support the cancer center. That includes its Lagniappe Services.    

“THE Gala raises money for this, for these kinds of programs,” Goff said, “so we can have fun together for an hour, forget what we’re going through, spend an hour being present and just creating something that hasn’t ever been made before.” 

Learn more about how you can support St. Tammany Health Foundation at www.STHfoundation.org.

Artist Maddie Goff, standing, leads an art therapy class at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center. In addition to art classes, the cancer center provides yoga, tai chi, music therapy, support groups and other classes, all free for diagnosed cancer patients.

Many of the designs created at the cancer center's recent art therapy class reflected undersea motifs, in keeping with the theme of St. Tammany Health Foundation's annual Gala, which raises money to support local cancer care. 

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