We are very grateful to all of the Doctors, Nurses, Child Life Specialists, Parents, Patients and Friends
who have offered their kind words in support of Discovery Arts and our wonderful, incredible children!
“Discovery Arts programs demonstrate to children their potential in participating in activities that introduce them to new talents of their own.  Especially for handicapped children, this provides a tool that complements physical therapy programs in terms of mobilization.  Most important, Discovery Arts programs help build self-esteem in children with critical illness.  All of this is done in an environment that is cheerful, positive and lots of fun… I have personally witnessed the power of Discovery Arts programs to improve the general outlook and attitudes of our hospitalized children and their families…  One look at the faces of our patients and their families and I know you’ll become a believer like me.”  

Dr. Jerry Z. Finklestein, 
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine, Founding Director of Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center 
“The one thing that even on Sarah’s worst days brings a smile to her face and comfort to her soul is Discovery Arts. Sarah loves to dress up and there is always a costume waiting for her. She will put it on and dance and sing for the whole playroom. It is as if the hospital, for that short period of time, does not exist. Discovery Arts has provided an excellent resource for tapping into the mind, body and spirit of such little people. The benefits for Sarah has been reduced stress, decreased need for pain medicine and a blessing of time spent doing things children should be doing – enjoying life.”  

​Wendy Grant, Sarah’s mom
“As a Child Psychiatrist it is clear that preventive health care is the cutting edge of treatment, and Discovery Arts provides that ounce of prevention and intervention, both for patients and their parents at the exact time it is needed… during intensive, active treatment.”
​
​Ellis M. Schwied, M.D.

Join our Circle of Friends and Become a Monthly Partner

Your generous Monthly Partnership will help a child with cancer or life threatening illness step outside of their illness
and into a world of imagination!
Your support of just $15 or more a month, will help us bring our Arts Adventures to one child with cancer, serious blood disorder or life threatening illness.  Choose to help one child at $15.00, two children at $30.00 or three children at $45.00 This is an ongoing service for an ongoing need. Your monthly support keeps us going, so we can continue to bring much needed relief to these special children who are facing the greatest fear of all.
“I think you guys are great. You know how to bring so much love and joy and fun into such a difficult environment. You make me smile every time I see you. Thank you for all that you do for the kids.”

​Hilary Gan, Child Life Specialist UCLA
"This program is extremely beneficial to our patients, families, and even staff! They help provide lifelong memories to our patients and families. Discovery Arts volunteers form lasting relationships with our patients by providing craft, music, dance, and dress-up activities. They make each child feel special by saving their favorite costumes and other toys and activities for subsequent admissions. We have many families that will come to visit Discovery Arts even when they have finished treatment, and others who will schedule doctor’s appointments or admissions on Thursday so that they can participate in the Discovery Arts program…  One parent of a child who recently finished treatment stated that “the only things they miss about the hospital are the playroom and Discovery Arts”.   If the Discovery Arts program was no longer involved with our hospital, patients, families and staff would definitely feel a huge loss. We cannot even begin to express how much Discovery Arts means to everyone here at Miller Children’s Hospital!"

​Rose Mills, BA CLS and Allison Singhi, BA CCLS,
​Miller Children’s Hospital
"Every Tuesday when it was “Discovery Arts time” at Children’s Hospital Orange County, 15 year- old Courtney would wheel her IV pole down to the playroom to help young patients make their crafts. “It was very therapeutic for me because I love working with kids.  It gave me something to look forward to every week and helped all of us forget about our illnesses for a couple of hours. It was so amazing to see a little girl dancing down the hall in a tutu and tap shoes, when she previously wouldn’t even smile or get out of bed!  It gave my hospital roommates and little friends confidence, and most importantly, a burst of fun and creativity as a break from the sadness and dull routine of the hospital.   Discovery Arts helped me understand that treatment for terminally ill children does not have to be only medicine.  Having a positive outlook directly affected my recovery, and made me understand how crucial it is to encourage children to have positive attitudes while going through treatment.”
                                                                                                                                                             
Courtney Cheney, 20 yrs old, cancer free two and one half years
“Thank you so much! You all were the ray of “hope and sunshine” that made our recent experience at Long Beach Memorial endurable.   Jillian loved meeting all of you, the attention, art projects and cute costumes made her stay fun instead of a traumatic experience.  No one gets used to being real sick – but you made it bearable.”  

​The Fillrichs, parents
“Discovery Arts, every Thursday afternoon, provides joy and healing to patients in our Pediatric Hematology/Oncology inpatient ward at Miller Children's Hospital.  Sometimes the miracles are subtle - a child laughing that had seemed intimidated by hospitalization.  Other times, the effect is more remarkable.  We believe the combination of art and music, along with laughter, play in a fun environment, provides something our medicines and treatment plans just can't quite provide.  Please continue your exceptional program.”
                                                                                                                                                        
W. Mark Roberts, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer
​Miller Children's Hospital
"I am so proud to be a part of this great program. It makes so many children happy. That's a very good thing."

Bobby Olvera, Volunteer
"I want to thank you again for allowing the Teens from our program to share such a wonderful experience with the children at CHOC. I am sending the pictures I promised. I am also submitting pictures to our website and requesting that the Discovery Arts link be placed along side so our visitors can take a look at the wonderful work you all do. The teens were all grateful for the experience and asked that I passed along their gratitude. On a personal note, I just want to tell you and everyone involved with Discovery Arts that the work you do is amazing. As you know my close friend lost her 6 year old daughter on June 16th of this year. She was actually still alive when I first contacted you, but passed just before we came to volunteer. Marlo spent almost 7 straight months living in the hospital. She had no one to play with and not much to do. We all spent time there trying to entertain her. In frustration and sadness she told her parents that she was unhappy. Not because she was dying, but because she was lonely. She had no friends. She wanted so much to be able to play. It was the thing that made me the most sad about her illness. At her funeral her mother sobbed and told us all that she was happy that Marlo was now in heaven and could finally play. Playing with friends and sharing love and affection is all that is important to children. That is their whole world. It is horrible and unjust when it is taken away. There is no doubt that what you do is wonderful, but to those of us who really understand how much a little play time and human touch means to these kids, I hope you know how special each of you are. Thank you and God Bless each of you. You are all angels!"
                                                                                                                                                                                       
Brenda Miller, Area Coordinator Children's Friendship Project for Northern Ireland
“Your program is a real model for helping enhance the self esteem of children facing the harsh realities of illness. It also has had an incredible impact on the families and staff.”
   
Dr. Ernie Katz, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Director of Behavioral Sciences Section Children's Center for Cancer & Blood Diseases
"I am the mother of Dayanna Macias. My name is Juana Macias. I would like to express my gratitude for the Discovery Arts program. They are here on Thursdays. All the kids enjoy it. They get to pick out a costume and dress-up, and also a lot of fun activities. It's great! My daughter loves to paint, and really enjoys the projects they have for them. She will also pick her costume, and put it on! I can see what a great impact that does on her. I thank you so much and keep up the good job you all do. Thank you also for all the kindness and care that each one of you give to each child."

Juana Macias, Mother
"My name is Blanca Toro and I am the parent of Valerie. My daughter Valerie has such a wonderful time on Thursdays when the Discovery Arts crew is here. She enjoys it so much that when she is home she wishes she was in the hospital. My daughter Valerie has all the costumes she has gotten from Discovery Arts and I must say she has a great time dressing up in them at home. I would like to thank you so much for having the Discovery Arts program seeing how much joy it gives the children makes my heart go out to each one of you who take so much joy in giving such a great experience to all the children. Thank you for for all your great work and for all your kindness."

Blanca Toro, Mother