GCAC Grant Helps Cancer Survivors Cope

Art brings people together and allows them to see the world in a different way. And for those affected by illness, art is also a powerful way to deal with their situation.

Funding provided by the Greater Columbus Arts Council's Franklin County Neighborhood Arts grant program will help Haven of Hope Cancer Foundation work with cancer patients through art therapy.

Haven of Hope will present Healing at the Haven through Art & Music, a series of programs and services to support and assist the central Ohio community affected by a cancer diagnosis. The series will provide an environment where participants can express their feelings, offer mutual support to each other and openly discuss their struggles and successes. Therapists will work with program participants to help them create art and use it to their express feelings and increase awareness.

"Cancer greatly impacts the way a patient sees the world and performs various roles in her or his daily life. Loved ones, family and caregivers are also affected. Emotions may seem overwhelming along with increased anxiety and a loss of hope and future. Art therapy can be a non-threatening way for these patients and their loved ones to explore self, identity and ways the individual has been affected by this life change on an emotional level," said Dana Zager, a therapist who will work at the Haven to facilitate the project supported by the FCNA grant.

"Through the art process and the artwork, individuals can gain powerful insight into self and emotions while in a safe and supportive setting. These new insights can then be applied to the individual's daily life and coping," said Zager, whose private practice addresses the needs of cancer patients and their families.

Haven of Hope was one of 36 organizations to receive funding so far from the 2009 Franklin County Neighborhood Arts program, which supports arts activities that are recreational, avocational or therapeutic in nature.

The FCNA program supports artistic development within a wide variety of organizations and aims to improve the aesthetics and quality of life in neighborhoods throughout Franklin County. The grants are funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and supported by a donation from Ashland Inc. Each year, GCAC awards three rounds of FCNA grants. So far, GCAC has awarded $36,654 in 2009.

Debra Chakeres, President of the Haven of Hope Cancer Foundation, says one of their board members originally suggested that they apply for the FCNA grant. The grant for this project is the second they have been awarded through the program.

"The feedback that we received from the last series was that we should provide more of this type of program," Chakeres said. "Previous participants commented during the program that they were getting so much out of being together. Several also commented to me weeks later that they were still processing and still finding new or different meaning in their journey. We felt compelled to provide what was expressed as a need."

The deadline for the third round of 2009 Franklin County Neighborhood Arts grants is Fri., Oct. 30. GCAC will hold two workshops to help organizations with their applications. The first will be at 2 p.m. on Tue., Sept. 29 at the King Arts Complex, Room 210, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave., 43203. The second will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thu. Oct. 1 at the Greater Columbus Arts Council, 100 E. Broad St., Ste. 2250, 43215. For more information, contact Oulanje Regan, Community Arts Education Administrator.

Photo courtesy of Haven of Hope Cancer Foundation