"I think everyone needs art in their life, whether that be painting, writing, music, any or all the arts. It’s a great escape."

Sarah Gabby N.

Criss Cross Heart (POD) - Children's Art Project

April showers bring May flowers and we are excited to have products inspired by the artwork of Sarah "Gabby", age 28. Sarah's journey began at birth when she was diagnosed with Congenital Neutropenia, a rare condition characterized by low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential for fighting infections. Individuals with this condition have an increased risk of developing Myelodysplastic
Syndromes (MDS), a group of blood disorders that result in low levels of various blood cells and can progress to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a type of blood-cell cancer. She received care at MD
Anderson Children's Cancer Center in the hematology department for monitoring and annual bone marrow biopsies. A week before her 18th birthday, she received the devastating news that she had AML, which was not unexpected given her medical history but still came as a shock. Fortunately, her cancer cells were not yet active, and after an intense chemotherapy regimen consisting of 14 days of treatment and one day of rest, she underwent a successful stem cell transplant that eliminated the cancer and her neutropenia. Thanks to timely intervention, she has been cancer-free for almost ten years.

Whilst at MD Anderson, Sarah "Gabby" was involved in the Children's Art Project, finding comfort in artistic expression as a means of managing life's challenges. Having cultivated a lifelong affinity for the arts, it remains an integral component of her identity and a vital coping mechanism. Sarah says, "I think everyone needs art in their life, whether that be painting, writing, music, any or all the arts. It’s a great escape." As part of her involvement with the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program, Sarah created the digital silver ribbon, a logo designed to bring awareness for teen and young adult patients.

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, Sarah "Gabby's" aspirations for a career in this field took root during her high school years. Last year, she embarked on a freelance venture, successfully marketing her artwork, which includes paintings on recycled wood, canvas, and graphic designs. As part of a class project, she created a propaganda campaign to raise awareness for childhood cancer. During her leisure time, Sarah enjoys engaging in video gaming, specifically Minecraft or Sims, where her focus is typically on creating new structures. At present, Sarah is in the process of re-creating a Dungeons and Dragons world on Minecraft, meticulously building each element from scratch. When not gaming, she cherishes quality time spent with her family and engaging in board games. During the holidays, she actively participated in craft shows every week, showcasing and selling her artistic creations in Colorado, where she resides.

While her true passion lies in the arts, Sarah "Gabby's" affinity for MD Anderson, where she received medical care, draws her towards pursuing a graphic design career there. With the opportunity to pursue her passion in the workplace where she was treated, MD Anderson holds a special place in her heart.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Children's Art Project. Each month, we’ll provide updates, promote survivorship, and share uplifting stories about what makes Children’s Art Project special.