Jan. 5, 2011 | Jan. 5, 2011 | A new website launched by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) aims to honor cancer survivors by sharing their stories of hope and healing.

The website — www.seed-of-hope.com — features photos and first-person accounts of patients treated at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

The namesake for the site is the institute’s Seed of Hope sculpture, commissioned from University of Arkansas at Little Rock art professor Michael Warrick. Carved from a 3,700-pound piece of Turkish white pearl marble, the vessel-shaped sculpture is located in the institute’s atrium and serves as the centerpiece for a ceremony honoring cancer survivors.

“We firmly believe that the completion of active cancer treatment is something to celebrate,” said Porter Puckett, Cancer Institute director of hospitality. “We’ve made it a priority to honor each patient and this milestone in their lives with a ceremony at the Seed of Hope.”

Patients completing their active treatment receive two engraved, seed-shaped tokens. They are invited to toss one into the sculpture, leaving a piece of hope behind for the patients who will follow them. The second token is for them to keep or pass along to a friend or loved one as a symbol of hope in their lives.

“Our employees and volunteers gather with each patient and their family members to cheer them on and wish them good health in the years to come. It’s a very emotional moment for many people, and we are proud to share it with them,” Puckett said.

Along with survivors’ stories, the website features information about the sculpture and artist, physicians’ perspectives on survivorship, links to UAMS services and more. Visitors can post comments, and survivors are invited to share their personal story of survival by completing a form on the site.

The Seed of Hope is made possible through the generosity of the Cancer Institute Auxiliary.