Volunteers create lasting memories for families and loved ones of patients

At first glance, the painting appears to be simply a view from behind of a loving couple seated on a porch swing, a couple of items marked with sports team emblems and a prominent potted marigold.

But for a family who lost a loved one, each detail in the painting represents a cherished memory. Randy Dalida of Georgetown spent the last three months of a 13-year battle with cancer as an inpatient at Carle Foundation Hospital. The painting was created through a Volunteer Services effort at Carle Health called North Star and the Dailida family was the first recipient. Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CI MED) initiated the effort to support families of those battling cancer.

"I thought it was a lovely idea. It was inspiring. I had the copy of the painting out in his room the entire time," Tammy Dalida, Randy's wife of 40 years said. Randy Dalida was not the only one supported at Carle Foundation Hospital. During the same three months, Tammy had surgery for a heart stent placement and their granddaughter, Marigold "Goldie" was born.

"The people at Carle were phenomenal. They were so loving to us. They felt like family," she said.
The framed art represents good memories not only of her husband sitting on the porch swing at their country home, but also a lasting testament to the care her family received while at the hospital. The potted marigold in the painting represents their granddaughter, Goldie, and the sports team pennant and blanket on the canvas represent her late husband's favorite college and professional teams. So far, more than a dozen families received art pieces from North Star artists, but more volunteers are needed to create lasting impressions for families of loved ones.

While CI MED students initiated the artist volunteer effort, all volunteer artists are welcome to reach out to [email protected] if they want to participate.

Holley Crozier, RN, clinical educator, Oncology, Carle Foundation Hospital, said her team on the sixth floor of the hospital ran with the idea of inviting families of patients with a terminal diagnosis to participate. Information about the patient is gathered when families complete a written questionnaire about their loved one.

"Answering the questions can help family members process their grief while creating an opportunity to reflect, share stories and celebrate a life well lived. We are honored to be part of this project and we are grateful for the meaningful impact it has on patients and families," Crozier said.

The volunteer artist uses responses to create an acrylic painting on a canvas containing patient fingerprints collected by nurses or health technicians. Each painting is unique to each patient and reflects the individual's life. Each volunteer receives a paint set, but they do not meet the patient or family. Currently, 15 paintings have been completed and are on display on Rogers 6 Oncology by the staff elevators. More than 15 paintings are in progress or awaiting a volunteer artist.

CI MED students have completed each work of art in about a month, but the number of families asking for a painting is growing and more volunteers are needed.

North Star volunteer artist and rising second year medical student Apurva Chaturvedi said art changed her life when her mother sent her to a summer art camp. Having completed four North Star paintings thus far, Chaturvedi said she first saw the process as bittersweet. "As I made more paintings, I see it as a celebration of life. It taught me how to bring humanity into healthcare."

Volunteer Shelby Maureen Oke, a third-year medical student, said she enjoyed art and started painting on water bottles during the pandemic. She sees art as a reward for herself on the weekend.

"While a bit intimidating at first, the painting is truly an honor. I feel I have had an impact on their journey," Oke said.

Volunteers interested in painting works for families, should reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Categories: Culture of Quality, Community

Tags: cancer, Carle, Foundation, Hospital, oncology, patient, services, volunteer