FOUR PEARLS OF BECKSTRAND CANCER FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW ADOLESCENT ART THERAPY PROGRAM FOR CANCER PATIENTS

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (May 19, 2008) – The Four Pearls of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, which aims to improve and enhance the quality of life of children, teens and families struggling with cancer, today announced the launch of its new Art Therapy Support Group. The new program will teach adolescents with cancer how to better cope with their diagnosis and prognosis, and aid in their recovery.

“We are thrilled to launch this new art therapy program through our auxiliary ‘Four Pearls,’” said Lil Spitzer, executive director of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation. “New research has shown programs with art therapy components have positively impacted the quality of life of cancer patients, which is directly in line with the Foundation’s goal of improving the lives of cancer patients.”

The Art Therapy Support Group will be open to adolescents with any type of cancer and will use art and psychoanalysis as tools for learning coping skills. Classes will be approximately two hours each, running for a duration of eight weeks. Members of the group will have the opportunity to showcase their artwork at exhibits provided by the Foundation, as well as in The Diamond & Pearl Ball 2008 gala program. Dr. Esther Dreifuss-Kattan will oversee the program, due to her widespread experience with cancer patients and patients with other chronic, potentially life-threatening illnesses. She holds a Ph.D. in both Art Therapy and Psychoanalysis, and is a licensed Research Psychoanalyst with the Medical Board of California.

The overall mission of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation is to improve and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. Through the generous contributions of its supporters at The Diamond & Pearl Ball 2007, the Foundation was enabled to develop a pediatric oncology program, which includes the Art Therapy Support Group.

 

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