Elementary Kids Spread Cheer at UAMS Cancer Institute
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| Each of the coasters created by the students displays in inspiring holiday message. |
Dec. 21, 2012 | Thanks to a group of Little Rock children, cancer patients at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) had a little extra holiday cheer this season.
As their community service project, participants in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Children International After-School Kids’ Club created festive coasters for patients undergoing infusion treatment at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
The project was inspired by Paula Rogers, a two-time breast cancer survivor, UAMS patient and education manager for UALR Children International.
“We know there are people who are sick at Christmastime, and we wanted to let them know we were thinking of them,” Rogers said.
The coasters featured sentiments such as, “Always leave a little room in your holiday for miracles.” The children used rubber stamps to create the images, followed by an embossing process. They also created cards with holiday greetings, which were tied with a bow to each coaster.
Cancer Institute volunteers distributed the 70 coasters to patients undergoing infusion treatment during Christmas week. Many patients at the Cancer Institute receive treatment on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
Children in the after-school program range from second to fifth graders. Since 1994, UALR and Children International have worked in partnership to provide health and dental care, educational programs, family assistance and other supportive programs that empower families to break the cycle of poverty.