The Miracle of Art
In late spring of 2019 a 10-year-old girl was transferred to Walter Reed Murtha Cancer Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Service for treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML often keeps patients in a hospital for the majority of 6-9 months. Mazie, our given name, was diagnosed in Okinawa and brought to a hospital in the states for her first month of treatment before her family was transferred to WRNMMC. A special bond forms between patients and their first care teams, often referred to as “the blessing of the first touch.” Understandably, after moving around the world and beginning treatment elsewhere, Mazie struggled to connect to her new team at Walter Reed.
Searching for a way to help Mazie build trust in her new environment, staff turned to art. Mazie came up with a theme, set a due date, and hung a submission folder on her hospital room door. Enough entries poured in to change the exhibit every 2 weeks for the duration of Mazie’s stay at Walter Reed. She came up with new themes and submission dates with each new show receiving more submissions than the last. The shows began taking over the walls of the unit. Staff was amazed at how this project had vastly improved morale on the floor. Even patients who didn’t want to create their own art would ask to take walks to “see the art show.” It happened spontaneously with art simply taped to the hospital walls; this was obviously unsustainable in a medical environment. Despite that, it stayed up long after Mazie completed treatment and she was finally discharged. The art show became known as “Mazie’s Project.”
Staff, patients, and families were so impressed with the impact the project made and wished they could find a way to make it a permanent part of the unit. After years of covering the walls with random decals, they looked tired and chaotic with art randomly hung throughout the unit. Regardless, they all knew that Mazie’s Project had made a great difference in helping to foster a sense of peace, security, and tranquility for everyone involved in the unit.
Searching for a way to help Mazie build trust in her new environment, staff turned to art. Mazie came up with a theme, set a due date, and hung a submission folder on her hospital room door. Enough entries poured in to change the exhibit every 2 weeks for the duration of Mazie’s stay at Walter Reed. She came up with new themes and submission dates with each new show receiving more submissions than the last. The shows began taking over the walls of the unit. Staff was amazed at how this project had vastly improved morale on the floor. Even patients who didn’t want to create their own art would ask to take walks to “see the art show.” It happened spontaneously with art simply taped to the hospital walls; this was obviously unsustainable in a medical environment. Despite that, it stayed up long after Mazie completed treatment and she was finally discharged. The art show became known as “Mazie’s Project.”
Staff, patients, and families were so impressed with the impact the project made and wished they could find a way to make it a permanent part of the unit. After years of covering the walls with random decals, they looked tired and chaotic with art randomly hung throughout the unit. Regardless, they all knew that Mazie’s Project had made a great difference in helping to foster a sense of peace, security, and tranquility for everyone involved in the unit.
Miracles do happen! Coincidently, Mission:M4 heard about the success of Mazi’s Project through a patient and decided it would be a wonderful project for them to take on. Mission M4 began to research how to create a cohesive, unified, and calming environment within the hospital and fire code guidelines. Magnetic display boards were found to accommodate a permanent exhibit. A mural artist was identified who could make wall size decals that were adventurous with soothing colors and comforting animals that any child would love to explore.
Mission:M4 contacted Geico Insurance for support. They were excited about the project, understood its value and provided the $10,000 needed to complete the project. Geico understood that changing the physical space could boost morale and provide a more therapeutic respite for the families, children, and staff who spend countless hours walking these hallways. Mission: M4 is partnering with the Walter Reed Society to make Mazie's Project a reality.
Many things are beyond the control of those who spend time on the Pediatric Unit at Walter Reed. Redoing the walls and securing the continuation of an engaging art show is therapeutic for patients, families, and staff. This project will create a protected space designed specifically to support patients and family during the hardest days of their lives. Many thanks to Mission:M4, a partnership with the Walter Reed Society and Geico Insurance for their support in achieving our Mission!
Mission:M4 contacted Geico Insurance for support. They were excited about the project, understood its value and provided the $10,000 needed to complete the project. Geico understood that changing the physical space could boost morale and provide a more therapeutic respite for the families, children, and staff who spend countless hours walking these hallways. Mission: M4 is partnering with the Walter Reed Society to make Mazie's Project a reality.
Many things are beyond the control of those who spend time on the Pediatric Unit at Walter Reed. Redoing the walls and securing the continuation of an engaging art show is therapeutic for patients, families, and staff. This project will create a protected space designed specifically to support patients and family during the hardest days of their lives. Many thanks to Mission:M4, a partnership with the Walter Reed Society and Geico Insurance for their support in achieving our Mission!
