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For cancer patients like Simoni Bonadies, the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine program has been critical in connecting with other survivors and an outlet for creativity that helps her cope with chemotherapy and radiation.
The 58-year-old Lakeland resident who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 said the program has been important in maintaining mental health.
“I navigated between relief and uncertainty. When I heard about the survivorship program with Arts in Medicine, I didn’t hesitate to participate,” said Bonadies, who was born in Brazil. “It was my anchor, my piece of balance because I was feeling alone with all the fears and side effects of the chemo. (Some think) the battle is over when chemo is over. So I was feeling alone because the battle will be with me for the rest of my life.”
GiveWell Community Foundation recently awarded a $4,725 grant to the program, which aims to help cancer patients heal through art projects.
Using the grant: According to program’s coordinator, Tiffany Van Wieren, the grant money will be used to purchase art supplies and materials, such as canvases, frames, paint, guided journal prints and beading materials.
The patients and caregivers use the items to work on art projects while they wait for their appointments in the clinic’s studio, located on the second floor of Watson Clinic’s Cancer and Research Center, 1730 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
“While materials like watercolor paper and paints don’t cost much on their own, the volume needed to maintain a program like ours adds up quickly. This grant helps us to meet the material needs of our program so that we can best serve our community,” Van Wieren said. “Currently, we are working on our annual quilling project titled “Hope” where patients and caregivers define hope on strips of paper that are then integrated into a piece of artwork.”
The artwork is displayed on the walls of the second floor of the Cancer and Research Center and also in the studio.
Improves health outcomes: Watson Clinic believes the program helps reduce stress and anxiety among its cancer patients and improves their health outcomes.
“There is incredible research now that shows therapeutic benefits, not only for mental health, but even for physical health, with patients showing improved outcomes and reduced pain. With our program, we have seen similar results with 86% of those surveyed having reduced stress and anxiety and 40% experiencing reduced pain,” Van Wieren said.
The impact: Patient Bonadies was an art teacher at Rochelle School for the Arts who was recognized as Florida’s middle school art educator of the year for 2021. She said she enjoyed “painting without judgment,” dancing, and listening to speakers at Arts in Medicine. She’s overjoyed the program received more funding.
“It’s so important that this program be a permanent fixture of the Watson Clinic Cancer Center. Oncologists deal with the cancer, but cancer affects our mental health and the arts deals with that part of healing. I am grateful for having this opportunity and wish every survivor could have it as well,” Bonadies said.
The grant: The $4,725 grant came from the George W. Jenkins Fund and was awarded during the 2024 Impact Polk grant cycle.
“I know it must be a difficult decision for those who navigate where funding will do the most good. We are incredibly honored to be the recipient of this grant,” Van Wieren said. “Although we have received this grant in the past, it doesn’t mean that we are entitled to funding … There are worthy programs all across the city in need of funding, especially given the recent cutbacks on the state level.”
Van Wieren added that the grant the program received this year was an increase of $225, compared to funding offered in 2023.
In need of volunteers: Along with the need for donations, Van Wieren said the program is always in need of volunteers. Some play music in the lobby, while others spend time in the studio space, helping patients with art projects.
“Volunteers really make our program possible…They are the bridge of connection that we all need, especially in difficult times. We are always in need of volunteers for our program and I cannot speak highly enough of the amazing people who give of their time through volunteerism,” Van Wieren said.
