Project Imagine, an Arts in Medicine program which has enhanced the lives of thousands of Southern Nevada pediatric patients, will continue its inspirational work by becoming a program of Cure 4 The Kids Foundation.
Under the mutually approved agreement, Project Imagine will disband its own 501(c)(3) designation and become a full-fledged Arts in Medicine Program within Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, also a 501(c)(3) organization. The merger will benefit the arts initiative in several ways, including the ability to strengthen and expand the program, seek additional sources of revenue through Cure 4 The Kids Foundation donors, and provide the program with a permanent location.
Mifsud will bring her artistic interventions to patients at the clinic, including before and after medical appointments and during lengthy treatments in the clinic’s infusion suite. Cure 4 The Kids patients admitted into Summerlin Hospital’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit will interact with Mifsud via virtual online visits.
In the past, Mifsud utilized additional local artists in music, theater, art, and photography to provide one-on-one enrichment sessions with patients, and to help them cope with feelings of isolation that can accompany a prolonged illness. Due to pandemic health safeguards, these additional artistic experiences will remain on hold until further notice.
“I am so very proud that Diane Mifsud chose to bring this successful Arts in Medicine program into the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation family where it will continue to enhance the lives of patients, and also benefit from our shared vision to provide the best treatment and related services to patients and their families,” said Annette Logan-Parker, president & CEO, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation.
As part of the transition, Mifsud will become director of the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Arts in Medicine program and a member of the organization’s Behavioral Health Team.
“I know the impact our artists have on these children, which is why I continue to be so passionate about art working alongside medicine,” said Mifsud. “One of our artists played guitar for a boy in isolation – at a medically approved and safe distance – and the musician was able to change the energy in that room in seconds. It makes me cry when I think about it. Everybody started dancing, and then I looked around near the nurse’s station, and they’re dancing too. It just permeates whatever space we’re in, and the effect blows me away every single time,” she said.
Last year, approximately 1,000 patients or “little people” as Mifsud calls them, were directly served by the Arts in Medicine program. Since 2010, Mifsud has worked with patients at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center.
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