Healing Through Art

The Integrative Medicine Department at Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center engages patients and their families to become active participants in improving physical, emotional and social health. Through personalized research-based complementary approaches and education they are able to treat the whole person. Research data shows that these services are just as important to someone’s health and overall well-being. The team has witnessed and understands the healing power of an integrated and holistic approach to caring for patients and families and is grateful to be able to provide for patients, with a program fully funded through philanthropy.

An integral part of Integrative Medicine is the Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international non-profit founded in 1982. An affiliate of the Cancer Center, the CSC offers any patient in Central Florida the chance to gather with other patients going through similar experiences in a setting that helps them escape their everyday lives through activities like art, music, meditation and yoga.

Meet Mary Lou

One patient who found solace in the CSC during her treatment for breast cancer, was Mary Lou Nethers. Mary Lou recently celebrated her first-year cancer free and feels very strongly that part of her healing process was due to the CSC.

“Through the Cancer Support Community, I was able to get counseling, and join support sessions,” said Mary Lou. “I was able to attend enrichment activities, such as music, crafts, art, writing and more. There were resources - and tools to find more resources. There were meditation sessions, specialized yoga classes and information on joining other exercise opportunities. So, painting a picture or writing a few paragraphs, while in the company of understanding people, made me feel like I wasn’t all alone in my journey. I knew if I had a question or concern, it could be addressed.”
 
If you would like to help cancer patients in our community heal through the arts, visit Give.OrlandoHealth.com/IntegrativeMedicine.