Kids & Art Foundation uses the power of the arts and creativity to mitigate stress, anxiety, and trauma induced from diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer and other critical medical conditions. Purvi Shah, founder/CEO, is a parent whose son was diagnosed with cancer at age 3, losing that battle 6 years later in 2011. During treatment, she engaged both her children in art-making and creative exploration. Her inspiration came after seeing the healing impact moments of creativity had not only on her family, but other families in out-patient clinics too. Purvi, an AAPI woman, has a background as a Creative Director.

Scientists, biotech companies, and experts work tirelessly to find “the cure” and pediatric oncologists and specialists do what they can to help these pediatric patients with protocols and “cocktails” and yet… The urgency, relevance and timing of this project comes from the fact that 43 children are diagnosed with cancer daily. They spend an average of 2-3 years in treatment, and 1,800 will not survive. Social isolation during the pandemic got worse for our immunocompromised families.

Scientists keep searching, doctors keep trying new protocols, and families try to remain hopeful as they wait for a miracle. We know that someday research will help make cancer become less scary. We also know that participating in art experiences makes a difference, now, while they are in treatment and living with the illness. Art is often considered a “nice to have” for cancer patients during treatment. We believe it is a “must have” for quality-of-life care and whole child support. We have seen the impact creativity and art-making has made on the thousands of families facing cancer with whom we’ve worked since 2008. “Art speaks where words are unable to explain,” Mathiole.