Help Needed Now

The Power of One – Hope for Many

I walk the long hall to my office feeling the weight of what I do, often steeped in sadness. But then I see pictures of a little boy eating a cookie. He is alive and I remember the impact my work has on the living.

Today I noticed his hair. The thickness of it. The cut. The highlights. I can’t help but wonder if he loves the sun like I do. Does he love the park or riding his bike? It doesn’t matter. The sun has kissed his hair.

Yesterday I noticed his eyes. His large dark eyes so intent on what he is doing. He offers me the only thing he possesses in this moment – a cookie. As he eats his eyes tell me he’s good at his job and he wants to share. I can see it in his eyes.

(Image by Tara Whittaker)

I want his focus. No. His contentment. Even just for a short time.

Tomorrow I will notice his age. He is young and loved. I wonder who loves this sweet child who lifts my spirits. He has no idea how he impacts my day and brings me peace. The hospital is a hard place where people do hard things every minute of every day. The boy is only eating a snack but he is lifting me up.

It’s as if he is waiting here in this series of pictures carefully hung on the wall.

One little boy is lifting me up. Life amongst death.

And I want everyone to know his power.

**

This story, created by Art à la Carte writer, Catherine Dabels, is based on a testimonial from a medical oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. It illustrates one of the many ways in which art gives voice to our deepest emotions. Every day hundreds of Calgarians pass along hallways at the Foothills Medical Centre where soothing images like the little boy eating a cookie provide precious moments of reflection not only for patients, but for the entire medical community. This is just a small part of the services provided by Art à la Carte. In 2012, more than 3,000 visits have been made to the bedside of acutely ill patients by compassionate volunteers who offer families a choice of art for their hospital rooms. These small gestures of humanity may not be curative, but they are powerful beyond measure.

We are at a crossroads in our 18-year history and urgently need your help so that our unique programs of hope and healing can continue to make a difference in the lives of Calgarians when they most need it.

Please consider including Art à la Carte in your year-end charitable giving in one of the following ways:

• The CanadaHelps online portal is not only speedy and secure but provides an opportunity to donate in honour or in memory of a loved one this holiday season. http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s62608

• For all other donations click on our donation page Tell your friends about our website (artalacarte.org) or brand new Facebook page so that they can be inspired to help us brighten the lives of Calgarians in crisis.

A gift of any amount will go a long way towards purchasing new art for our collection, enhancing our communication tools, creating new offerings in the areas of expressive arts, and sustaining our operations.

Picasso said that "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Sometimes that dust is a cookie crumb from a little boy. The power of one.