The gallery will remain open to the public for two weeks following the event. See two examples of artwork from the exhibit below.

“A fallen seedling from a tree that so closely resembles a cancer cell from a science journal; I find reminders every day.”   - by Morrow Toomey, survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

“Mostly Cloudy with a Chance of Leukemia” by Neil Patel, survivor

About the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Adolescent Support Group
The Adolescent Support Group (and concurrent parent/caregiver support group) meets monthly at the UNC Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Its purpose is to provide adolescents living with a cancer or serious blood disorder with a therapeutic, supportive, and creative environment in which they can process their cancer experience while receiving support from their peers also going through treatment.

Teen support group sessions are facilitated by Dr. Justin Yopp (Comprehensive Cancer Support Program) and Jessica Irven (Department of Recreational Therapy and Child Life).

The group provides the adolescents with a forum to discuss and express their thoughts and feelings on their battle with the impact of cancer, blood disorders, and stem cell transplant in a group setting in which they can be supported by peers.  An aspect unique to this support group is be that adolescents will use photography and other expressive arts as a medium for understanding  and especially explaining their personal experiences as communication and coping tools.  By using their photos, sculptures, poems, etc. to show what it’s like for them, the group discussions center around finding common ground and providing support to one another.