Hearts Need Art

Hearts Need Art

In 2016, while volunteering at an adult oncology unit, Constanza Roeder noticed the lack of resources to help patients take their minds off their treatments. Drawing from her own childhood experience as a cancer patient, she remembered the comfort provided by the children's oncology unit, which included access to coloring books, journals, literature, and special visitors.

However, the adult oncology unit lacked such amenities, with bland walls and minimal engagement. Leveraging her talents as a pianist and singer, Constanza began performing for patients in hospitals, aiming to bring them moments of solace and distraction.

Today, a team of musicians, writers, and visual artists collaborates to bring creativity and comfort to patients at their bedside. Musicians skillfully strum guitars and play keyboards, serenading patients with their preferred tunes.

Creative writers inspire patients to express themselves through poetry, guiding them through writing exercises that weave words into meaningful collages of art. Sometimes, patients seek answers from creative art books, and the writers translate these queries into visual masterpieces using AI technology. Meanwhile, visual artists transform patients' windows into personalized canvases, painting scenes that hold significance for them, whether it's a cherished memory, a serene landscape, or a depiction of their hobbies. Utilizing mixed media, these artists bring patients' visions to life, allowing them to take home a tangible reminder of their creativity and resilience.

Patients are gifted a red tote bag filled with therapeutic tools, including a coloring book designed by Hearts Need Art, complete with Mad-libs, writing prompts, and uplifting stickers. Also included are a journal and an array of coloring materials, such as pencils, markers, or crayons, as well as a heartfelt crochet, canvas, or paper heart donated from various parts of the country.

Hearts Need Art witnesses firsthand the emotional challenges faced by patients in hospitals, from depression and loneliness to profound fear, especially among those grappling with terminal diagnoses or uncertain prognoses. Spending anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours with each patient, Hearts Need Art offers compassionate support and creative outlets. Surveys conducted after art engagement activities, involving 9,000 participants, revealed overwhelmingly positive outcomes: 89% reported a diversion from their pain, 87% experienced an uplifted mood, and 71% reported a reduction in feelings of isolation. To learn more, contribute or volunteer, visit www.heartsneedart.org.