The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Delaware-based ILC Dover announced a partnership to aid young cancer patients.
More than 530 patients, families, and staff members painted original artwork used to create full-sized suits for the Space Suit Art Project.
Born out of an idea from MD Anderson’s Arts in Medicine Program, which helps pediatric patients cope with cancer treatment through art, this project inspired leaders at NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) to support the effort with help from astronauts, scientists and engineers.
NASA provided patterns for the suits and worked with ILC Dover, a manufacturing and engineering company that develops NASA space suits, to assemble the suits by stitching the hand-painted art pieces together into a wearable replica space suit.
“This project has inspired hope for kids fighting cancer, instilled them with courage and created unity, all while increasing awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of pediatric cancer research,” said Ronald A. DePinho, president of MD Anderson. “We are so proud of this project and grateful for the passion and support we’ve received from NASA, ISS and ILC Dover. This is a wonderful example of the power of collaboration.”
On average, one in 285 children in the US will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20. Similar to adults, children going through cancer treatment can experience anxiety and depression. Research shows creative arts therapy benefits cancer patients as mental health and behavioral health are positively impacted.
Leading the effort to connect science, technology, arts and the human spirit are Ian Cion, director of the Arts in Medicine Program; Nicole Stott, retired NASA astronaut and the first person to paint in space; and David Graziosi of ILC Dover. Their collaboration created the Space Suit Art Project.
The first suit, HOPE was stitched together from more than 600 hand-painted art pieces created by patients, families and staff at MD Anderson. It represents the hope patients and families have as they go through treatment. Their primary hope is to survive cancer, but it’s deeper than survival. The project inspires hope for progress in childhood cancer research, which is consistently underfunded, and hope that childhood diseases like cancer can one day be eliminated. One patient inspired by the Space Suit Art Project and who provided artwork for the first two suits shared his hope.
“Even though my cancer is back after I already survived it twice, working on this project makes the days go faster and reminds me about the importance of hope,’ said Jacob, a 17-year-old Ewing’s sarcoma survivor. “I’m excited to tell people that my art may go to space, and, one day, I hope to work with the space exploration vehicles at NASA.”
